Community Health Worker

Join an Organization that Puts its People First!

* Please note - this position is for 32 hours/week
 

Interested in helping grow a healthcare model based on trusting relationships, joy in work, and health equity? Orchid Health might be just the place for you!

Orchid Health was founded over 10 years ago with the belief that the most effective way to improve the health of our communities is through integrated patient-centered care that takes the time to listen to and build trusting relationships with each patient. We currently see thousands of patients at our Oregon clinic locations, all supported by a talented, passionate, and dedicated staff.

Our mission is to advance a new model for community health to thrive based on relationships, joy in work, and health equity. We achieve this by leaning into our four pillars and core values:

Core Values:

• Challenge the Status Quo
• Cultivate Respect
• Courageously Vulnerable and Accountable

Four Pillars (in order of priority):

• Pillar 1: Employee Well-Being
• Pillar 2: Trusting Patient Relationships
• Pillar 3: Community Health
• Pillar 4: Financial Sustainability

Why work for Orchid Health?

At Orchid Health, we’re moving away from traditional top-down management to something more human: self-management. Our teams work together to make most day-to-day decisions, without a clinic manager giving direction. Instead, team members take on shared responsibilities based on their strengths, hold each other accountable, and are supported by peers, coaches, and access to clear, timely information. This structure reduces bureaucracy, supports collaboration, and makes work more meaningful. We believe that the people doing the work are best positioned to lead it, and we’ve built our organization around that belief. Orchid’s team members have abundant opportunities to expand their professional skills in a supportive environment, participate in community outreach efforts, and enjoy a robust benefits package. 
 

Compensation:

• $20.50 – $23.25/hour depending on experience and skills 

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision – Orchid pays monthly premiums at 100% for team members and at least 50% for their dependents for base medical and dental plans 
• $1,000/year Wellness Benefit - for things that make you happy!
• 401(k) with a company match and financial planning and wellness resources available at no cost.
• A Continuing Education / Continuing Medical Education budget for all team members
• An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides mental health support, financial planning, and lifestyle training opportunities, at no cost to employees
• 128 hours of PTO per year, annually front-loaded with tenure-based increases
• 40 hours of paid inclement weather and emergency closure leave, annually front-loaded
• 8 paid holidays, plus your birthday off!
• Free care at our clinics for team members and their families
• And more!

*Team members are eligible for benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

Sandy is considered one of Oregon’s highest need areas when it comes to healthcare, and taking this position will be making a huge difference in a community that truly needs and appreciates its healthcare providers.

Located at Sandy High School, Orchid Health’s Sandy Clinic welcomes all individuals in need of healthcare no matter what point of life they are in. A 45-minute drive from Portland, Sandy is known as the western gateway to the Mt. Hood Corridor, with easy access to natural areas, year-round outdoor recreation, regional arts and culture festivals, and great established restaurants.

The Community Health Worker is responsible for:

• Helping patients and their families to navigate and access community services and other resources (SDOH) while creating a welcoming and safe environment; 
• Supporting OHP patients via helping them initially engage in care and staying enrolled in insurance coverage; and
• Supporting providers and the Care Management Team (PCP, RN, MA and BHC) in delivering whole-person care through an integrated approach to care management (CCM) and community outreach. 
• Connecting with the community as local liaison and patient advocate.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement and creating a welcoming and safe environment.
• Providing initial outreach and engaging patients in their care plan goals specific to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) via ongoing follow-up and support.
• Providing ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting around identified SDOH needs with patients and their families.
• Participate in an integrated team to support chronic care management and behavioral health needs.
• Participate as an active member in the patient's care team in coordinating services and developing care plans.
• Conduct outreach efforts for newly assigned patients and patients losing insurance coverage to help patients stay covered on OHP and establish care at Orchid. 
• Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the needs of patients/families. 
• Provide resources and referrals to community agencies and follow-up to support successful connections are established.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and partners. 
• Community engagement and community organizer. 
• Follow-up on all CHW referrals and document all patient contact in the EHR.
• Record work performed in the EHR via cases and encounter notes no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
• Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors, staff and community partners, effectively carrying out Orchid’s mission
• Attend regular staff meetings, training(s) and other meetings as requested
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Minimum of high school diploma or GED; higher education preferred 
• Understand rural communities served, preference via lived experience.
• One (1) year relevant experience working with underserved populations with medical and social needs in a social service and/or community-based setting
• Basic computer skills, preference with EHR 
• Ability to initiate and maintain positive working relationships with patients, staff and other organizations.
• Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately.
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to patients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in medical settings and interacting collaboratively with healthcare teams preferred
• Preferred: Certification as Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) or Community Health Worker (CHW); however, Orchid will compensate for necessary job related training upon employment. 

Work Environment:

While in the clinic, team members may be exposed to viruses, disease, and infection from patients and specimens in the working environment. Team members may be required to work for extended periods of time at a computer. Team members use standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, and e-fax.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be regularly required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This position requires intermittent physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, and crouching, as well as lifting and supporting patients. Computer work is required for in-clinic positions. Light to moderate lifting may be required.

Travel:

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area may be expected on occasion (CME events, or activities involving other Orchid Health Clinics).

Employment Offer Contingencies:

Job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. 

AAP/EEO Statement:

It is the policy of Orchid Health to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Orchid Health will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.