Community Health Worker - Behavioral Health

Job Purpose & Position Overview
The purpose of this position is to provide culturally responsive outreach, education, care coordination, and support services for community members needing mental health wellbeing support. The Community Health Worker will serve as a bridge between community members, healthcare providers, and community resources to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.
Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:
• Demonstrate the Public Health Department's core mission, vision and values
• Home visit assigned clients as scheduled by BH Director.
• Assist with medication needs and translation.
• Provide transportation to and from Twelve Clans Unity Hospital and WPHD Programs.
• Provide supervised home health care for assigned clients, and will include:
• Blood pressure/blood glucose monitoring.
• Provide medication education.
• Educate on healthy lifestyle habits.
• Refer to resources as necessary for any Indigenous Social Determinants of Health
• Maintain records and reports as necessary to supervisor.
• Follow-up on at-risk community members.
• Notify patients of scheduled doctor appointments.
• Follow-up from internal staff and referred provider appointments.
• Assist with infections disease screenings.
• Attend all in-service and classes that are health related when possible.
• Attend mandatory training.
• Prepare monthly reports and submit to supervisor.
• Complete patient charting in a timely manner.
• Responsible for maintaining GSA vehicles at all times.
SPECIALTY AREA – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
• Conduct home visits and community outreach with individuals and families experiencing behavioral health concerns, substance use disorders, emotional distress, or other mental health challenges.
• Assist clients with behavioral health medication management activities, including medication reminders, medication education, identifying barriers to medication adherence, and reporting concerns to the Behavioral Health team.
• Conduct follow-up visits and phone calls with clients following discharge from emergency departments, psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, detoxification programs, residential treatment programs, and inpatient hospitalizations.
• Assist with coordination of aftercare services and support continuity of care following behavioral health crises or treatment episodes.
• Conduct wellness check-ins with clients and their identified relatives, caregivers, and support systems to promote recovery, stability, and connection to services.
• Assist clients with scheduling, attending, and following up on behavioral health, primary care, and recovery care appointments.
• Provide transportation support to behavioral health appointments and other approved services.
• Reinforce coping skills and wellness strategies identified by behavioral health providers, including grounding techniques, stress management, emotional regulation, self-care practices, and relapse prevention strategies.
• Support clients in developing and maintaining personal wellness and recovery plans.
• Assist with safety planning activities
• Identify early warning signs of mental health crises, substance use relapse, or increased risk and communicate concerns to the appropriate clinical staff.
• Provide education regarding mental health, substance use disorders, recovery resources, stigma reduction, and available community supports.
• Coordinate referrals to community resources addressing Indigenous Social Determinants of Health, including housing, transportation, food security, employment, cultural supports, and social services.
• Assist with outreach and engagement efforts for individuals who have difficulty accessing services or maintaining treatment participation.
• Support Behavioral Health, Recovery, and Kikijire programs with community-based follow-up and engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate documentation, client records, encounter notes, and monthly reports in accordance with departmental policies.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case reviews, treatment team meetings, quality improvement activities, and program evaluation efforts.
• Promote culturally grounded, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and strengths-based approaches to healing while supporting Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and healing.
• Attend required trainings, certification courses, workshops, supervision sessions, and department meetings.
Required Qualifications/Skills:
• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to meet driver eligibility guidelines.
• Must be in good physical and mental health and pass a complete physical exam prior to employment (to include PPD).