Careers at Drexel

Job Summary

The College of Nursing and Health Professions is seeking to hire a Community Health Worker (CHW) under the PHA–CARES (Community Action Response and Educational Services) Program. This position will provide community-based health and wellness services primarily to residents in the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) developments and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) residents in the West Philadelphia area.
Located at the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, the CHW will conduct group and individual health promotion education focused on chronic disease prevention, health and wellness, and resource navigation. The CHW will research and identify community resources, address healthcare concerns and social needs of PHA/HCV residents and provide access to appropriate community and healthcare services. CHWs trained through this program will subsequently provide community health programming and services to PHA residents of all ages.

Essential Functions

Community Outreach and Communication 

• CHW o Collaborate with community members and community partners to disseminate crucial information about early detection of diseases and illness.
• Present information effectively in a variety of settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports and community partners. 
• Provide the community information on preventative measures and available support systems and services.
• Provide resources and supportive networks ensuring the community receives care and information necessary. 
• Encourage PHA residents in West Philadelphia to join the Community Wellness listserv, where useful information about community resources shared o Articulates thoughts and ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Keeps team members and community residents adequately informed.
• Listens actively and is open to feedback. Provides fair and constructive feedback to others. 
• Attends team and community meetings, provides updates, suggestions and reporting of activities and all work-related duties. 
• Maintains contact with residents and follow-up with them to ensure needs are being met and barriers are reduced.

Connect & Bridge 

• Meets with the community members and serves as a bridge between the community members and needed services.
• Help individuals, families, groups, and communities develop their capacity and access to resources, including health insurance, food, housing, transportation, quality care, and health information.
• Engages the community members in conversations about their health needs and concerns.
• The CHW will connect the community member to resources and services needed, maintain community members trust, confidence, by maintaining community members information, document activities, and outcomes achieved by the community members in an effective manner.

Facilitate Health Education and Special Projects 

• Using educational materials the CHW will conduct, and support group or individual health promotion and education related to chronic diseases. This includes preparing and conducting virtual or in-person information sessions/events, phone calls, or one-on-one meetings with residents on site and virtually.
• Performs special project assignments required and works collaboratively and effectively with fellow Community Health Workers and other team members.

Builds and Maintain Partnership 

• Engage and develop partnerships with local community organizations.
• Identify community resources to address general medical concerns, as well as other healthcare and social service needs of PHA/HCV residents, e.g. providing access to food, helping with applications for financial support, referring to other community resources.
• Data Collection, Tracking & Documentation Document all community member encounters, referrals and contacts and generate necessary reports. Complete Interest Form seamlessly connecting the community members to other CHW’s and needed services.
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a HS Diploma or GED 
• Minimum of 1+ years of experience. 
• Completion of a minimum of 75 hours of Community Health Worker Core Training, program development and implementation, and community engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with community engagement and community outreach
• Comfortable communicating and connecting with community members
• Strong collaborative skills, comfort, and ability to relate, communicate and appeal to diverse individuals and groups in various forums.
• Ability to assist with the navigation process and connecting people to services and follow-up
• Knowledge of Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Effective documentation and follow-up skills, with attention to detail
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Good written communication skills
• Attend staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations
• Travel throughout different communities in West Philadelphia and PHA developments

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Non-Exempt, grade G. Compensation for this grade ranges from $15.58 to $23.37per hour. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.