Lead CHW Posting Grade 11

The Office for Community Health at the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center is currently hiring 2 Lead Community Health Workers to join a team of Social and Public Health Workers and managers, and provide rapid resource referrals and community connector/navigator services to high-need guests at the Gateway Receiving Area located on 5400 Gibson Blvd SE, a grant-funded collaboration between the City of Albuquerque and UNM HSC's Office of Community Health. The Gateway Receiving Area site will operate by harm reduction principles and practices. Staff are expected to comply with public health evidence-based and best practices at all times while at work. You will help plan, deliver, and staff the 24/7 services at the short-term Community Connector services site at 5400 Gibson Bl SE. We are seeking a compassionate, collaborative individual with strong and compassionate communication skills with the ability to problem-solve efficiently, independently and as part of a team as is required and appropriate. Because the program is new and innovative, you will help us create the model, applying your CHW perspective, skills and experience.

Summary:
Under general supervision, oversees and supervises the daily activities of a team of Community Health Workers engaged in providing education, care coordination and access to resources to program clients to improve their health and well-being. Serves as the liaison with health care system payers. Assists with public and potential contract presentations. Works primarily in site setting, and occasionally in community settings. May act as a peer support worker, where applicable, if self-disclosed as current or former consumer of mental health or substance abuse services with at least two years of mental health or substance abuse recovery.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversees Gateway Receiving Area site management including inventory, medical and other supplies and compliances, guest service flow and safety, staff safety. Assists with site staffing and scheduling

2. Collaboratively oversees all facets of the daily operations of the organizational unit alongside social workers, to include functional coordination and administration of subordinate staff performing related work.
3. Supervises community health workers, to include work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
4. Trains new Community Health Workers and provides ongoing staff development instruction.
5.Conveys all questions and concerns of Community Health Workers regarding clients and plan of care to program chain of command.
6. Assists clients in site and community settings. Communicates to clients/patients the purposes of the program and the impact it may have on their wellbeing. Helps patients identify socio-economic issues that affect their overall health and develop health/social management plans and goals.
7. Provides lay-counseling interventions as appropriate to the position; welcomes site guests via screening and intake, prepares program engagement plans, exit plans, and acts as a resource for follow-up referral and placement with partner organizations, behavioral, medical, dental, &/or mental health providers programs;
8. Documents all client encounters and contracts made on behalf of clients; completes and submits monthly reports; maintains comprehensive electronic client files, which include client notes, release of information, assessments and other medical documents acquired on behalf of the client. Documents activities, service plans, and outcomes achieved by client in an effective manner.
9. Collects data about patients through basic vitals, Social Determinants of Health assessment, interview, case history, and/or observational techniques; evaluates data to identify causes of problems and to determine program appropriateness or referral to other resources.
10. Must take and pass yearly training and evaluation by an appropriate-licensed medical professional to remain proficient in measuring vital signs;
11. Reviews staff reports for clarity, content, spelling, grammar and follow through on client month to month plan of care.
12. Serves a limited caseload of clients in a similar manner as Community Health Workers, taking on more complex cases as needed. Includes assisting clients in their homes, community, or clinic setting, documenting client encounters, maintaining client files and documenting activities. Educates clients, assists them in accessing health related and social services, provides support and advocacy and facilitates aces to community resources.
13. Works collaboratively and effectively within a team. Establishes positive, supportive relationships with participants and provides feedback to other members of the team. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with the clients, providers, nurse case managers, agency representatives, supervisors and office staff, from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Works to reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.
14. Assists clients in accessing health related services, including but not limited to: obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of the medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and /or social services.
15. Provides support and advocacy during initial site visit or when necessary to assure clients' medical needs and referrals required are being conveyed. Follows up with both clients and providers regarding health/social services plans when appropriate;
16. Facilitates communication and coordinate services between providers and the clients/patients. Coordinates and monitors services, including comprehensive tracking of clients' compliance in relation to care plan objectives.
17. Assists with public presentations on program to interested audiences, including potential payers.
18. May transport guests to local resources in City-owned van with Driver Safety Certification
19. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Fingerprinting, and subsequent clearance, may be required for this position depending on assignment.
• May be required to obtain a Community Support Worker (CSW) certification within six months of hire.
• May be required to hold a Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW) certification if acting as a peer support worker.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

High school diploma or GED; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.