Community Health Worker
Columbus, NE
Full Time
Entry Level
Are you passionate about helping others and making a difference in your community? East Central District Health Department (ECDHD) is seeking compassionate, motivated, and community-minded individuals to join our Community Health Worker (CHW) team!
Community Health Workers serve as a bridge between individuals, healthcare providers, and community resources. In this role, you will work directly with individuals and families to help identify barriers to health and well-being, connect them with available resources, and provide ongoing support as they navigate healthcare and community services.
CHWs play an important role in improving access to care, promoting health education, supporting health literacy, and helping individuals make informed decisions about their health.
This position offers opportunities to work with hospitals, clinics, community organizations, and individuals throughout the communities served by ECDHD.
What You Will Do
ECDHD provides training and ongoing learning opportunities to help CHWs develop the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals and families. As additional training is completed and program needs evolve, responsibilities may expand to include new services, health education topics, and specialized areas of community health.
Why Join ECDHD?
As a Community Health Worker, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout your community. You will help connect people with resources, reduce barriers to healthcare, build relationships, and support healthier communities.
If you enjoy working with people, solving problems, and helping others access the support they need, we encourage you to apply!
Community Health Workers serve as a bridge between individuals, healthcare providers, and community resources. In this role, you will work directly with individuals and families to help identify barriers to health and well-being, connect them with available resources, and provide ongoing support as they navigate healthcare and community services.
CHWs play an important role in improving access to care, promoting health education, supporting health literacy, and helping individuals make informed decisions about their health.
This position offers opportunities to work with hospitals, clinics, community organizations, and individuals throughout the communities served by ECDHD.
What You Will Do
- Build trusting relationships with individuals and families in the community.
- Identify barriers that may affect an individual's health and access to services, including food, housing, transportation, insurance, and healthcare.
- Connect individuals with healthcare providers, community organizations, and available resources.
- Assist individuals with navigating programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, WIC, and other assistance programs.
- Support health literacy by helping individuals better understand health information, healthcare instructions, and available services.
- Provide health education and prevention information using clear, understandable, and culturally appropriate communication.
- Assist with referrals, resource applications, appointment coordination, and follow-up when appropriate.
- Work with hospitals, clinics, and community partners to support individuals and improve access to care.
- Participate in community outreach events, health fairs, coalition activities, and public health initiatives.
- Support ECDHD programs, including WIC, immunizations, maternal health, chronic disease education, and other community health programs.
- Maintain accurate documentation of client interactions, referrals, and follow-up activities.
- Maintain confidentiality and follow applicable agency and partner policies.
- Participate in required training and ongoing professional development.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- A genuine interest in helping individuals and families access services and improve their well-being.
- Ability to build relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong problem-solving, organization, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Comfort communicating with healthcare providers, community organizations, and the public.
- Basic computer skills and willingness to learn new programs and documentation systems.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout assigned areas.
- Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
- Previous experience in healthcare, social services, community outreach, customer service, or resource navigation is beneficial but not required. Training will be provided.
- Regular work hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch break.
- Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required for community events, trainings, meetings, or program needs.
- Work locations may include hospitals, clinics, ECDHD offices, community organizations, and other assigned locations.
- Some positions may be assigned to work directly within a hospital or clinic setting.
- Mileage reimbursement is provided for eligible work-related travel in accordance with ECDHD policies.
- Some travel and community-based work is required.
- Employees may occasionally assist with public health needs or emergency response activities.
ECDHD provides training and ongoing learning opportunities to help CHWs develop the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals and families. As additional training is completed and program needs evolve, responsibilities may expand to include new services, health education topics, and specialized areas of community health.
Why Join ECDHD?
As a Community Health Worker, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout your community. You will help connect people with resources, reduce barriers to healthcare, build relationships, and support healthier communities.
If you enjoy working with people, solving problems, and helping others access the support they need, we encourage you to apply!
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