Community Health Worker

The Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of the community who helps patients access the care, resources, and support they need to live healthier lives. Working as part of the care team at our rural Virginia community health center, the CHW builds strong relationships with patients, listens to their needs, and connects them with medical, behavioral, and social services. This role focuses on reducing barriers to care, improving health outcomes, and supporting patients in managing chronic conditions.

The CHW will conduct outreach, provide basic health education, help patients understand their care plans, and assist with referrals for services such as transportation, housing, food assistance, and insurance enrollment. The CHW also works closely with providers, nurses, care coordinators, and social service partners to ensure patients receive coordinated, person-centered care.

This position requires strong communication skills, cultural humility, and a commitment to serving diverse populations. The CHW must be comfortable working in homes, schools, and community settings throughout the county, with an understanding of the challenges and strengths of rural communities. By acting as a bridge between the health center and the community, the CHW plays a key role in building trust, closing care gaps, and supporting overall population health.

Qualifications, Education, Credentials, and Experience

High School Diploma

Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree preferred

3+ years of experience as a CHW or related field preferred

AHA BLS certification is required upon hire.

Valid driver’s license is required.

Must be able to always maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.

Must be professional, self-motivated and have strong attention to detail, communication, teamwork, customer service and computer skills.

Bilingual skills are a plus.

Fitness for Duty - Must meet employee health requirements as detailed in RAHC’s clinical Fitness for Duty Policy.

Community Health Worker Certification required within 1 year of hire.

Essential Functions

Convey the purpose or service of a program to the user population and the impact that program or service would have. Work with patients to be active, engaged participants in their health.

Health Resource Navigation: Engages community partners in working together to fill the gaps in Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Community of Wellness (Transportation, housing, food, clothing, etc.).

Community Advocacy: Brings the voice of the community (Concerns, needs, beliefs, etc.) to appropriate RAHC departments. Shares culturally relevant customs with RAHC staff to provide staff with skills they need to effectively reach the individual. Participates in event planning and representing RAHC community outreach events.

Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.

Help patients to utilize resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.

Assist patients 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 social services.

Establish and maintain positive, supportive relationships while effectively working with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.

Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided; human relations and the procedures used in dealing with the public as part of a service or program; volunteer resources and the practices associated with using volunteers, operations, functions, policies, and procedures associated with the department or program area, procedures, and resources available to handle new, unusual or different situations.

Provide enrollment assistance on-site at health center and off-site in various community venues (including but not limited to completing coverage applications, gathering required documentation and troubleshooting the enrollment process) for uninsured children and adults to access subsidized, low-cost and free health insurance programs through the health insurance marketplace, Medicaid and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS). Provide structured patient education on health coverage; engage in follow-up conversations and offer renewal assistance for enrolled individuals.

Distribute outreach materials to patients, community members, partner organizations and businesses to build coverage option awareness. May need to drive between health center locations and community events.

Attend and successfully complete all required training programs; participate in ongoing conference calls, webinars, and other professional development opportunities.

Collect, maintain records and document Certified Application Counselor (CAC) assistance using the CAC log in order to accurately provide required reporting to the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange.

Assist patients with slide fee discount program.

Coordinate and oversee daily operations of the non-emergency medical transportation program.

When necessary, safely operate an organization-approved vehicle to transport patients to and from healthcare appointments in accordance with non-emergency transportation guidelines.

Our team enjoys great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 6 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, generous paid time off that starts to accrue on your first day, and a 403(b)-retirement option. This position will have a Monday - Friday (5 day/8 hour) schedule and may offer support to other sites as needed based on business needs.

If interested, please apply today by submitting your cover letter and resume. Upload all materials into the cover letter and resume submission fields. Applications that do not contain all required documents may not receive full consideration.

Visit rockahc.org to learn more about Rockbridge Area Health Center.