About the role
The Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of, or has good understanding of, the community they serve. They can build trusting relationships and are able to link individuals with the systems of care in the communities they serve. The CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Serves as a liaison/link between public health, healthcare, behavioral health services social services and the community to assist individuals and communities in adopting health behaviors. * Conducts outreach that promotes and improves individual and community health. * Facilitates access to services, decreases health disparities, and improves the quality and cultural competence of service delivery in Nebraska. * Attends community, department and state meetings, training sessions, seminars, workshops, etc., for professional development as directed. * Study and identify the different health related issues that exist in a community. * Develop tools, strategies, and resources that can help with those problems. * Help plan and facilitate community meetings, coalitions, and webinars. * Act as an advocate for the community. * Provide referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate. * Work Closely with Project Coordinators and ECDHD programs. * Perform all other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION: * High School Diploma or equivalent required * Willingness to obtain certificate as a Community Health Worker within one year of hire.
REQUIRED SKILLS: * Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software. * Ability to work well with individuals of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. * Excellent advocacy, organization, and communication skills.
PREFERRED SKILLS: Bi-lingual fluency in Spanish, Fremont or Somali preferred.
SUPERVISION: This position does not have any direct reports.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: May require sitting for a long period of time. Some bending, lifting, stooping and stretching required. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to operate office equipment such as computer keyboard, photocopier, telephone and calculator. Some lifting may be involved, up to 35 pounds.