Community Health Worker (Pediatrics)

The Department of Pediatrics is seeking a full-time, dedicated, bilingual Community Health Worker (CHW) in the General Peds division. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted bridge between immigrant Latino families and the healthcare system in Baltimore for the Centro SOL at Johns Hopkins University. This position is funded through a grant-supported initiative to address maternal health and mental health disparities among Latino immigrant families in Baltimore City and surrounding communities.

The CHW will provide culturally and linguistically responsive outreach, care coordination, and community-based mental health support to pregnant and postpartum Latina patients receiving prenatal care at the Yard 56 OB/Gyn Clinic/Bayview. The CHW will also deliver the Strong Minds evidence-based mental health intervention to individuals experiencing mild to moderate depression under clinical supervision. This role combines community outreach, appointment navigation, resource coordination, and structured mental health support to improve maternal and behavioral health outcomes while strengthening trust between immigrant families and healthcare institutions. The CHW will work as part of a collaborative clinical and academic team and will represent Centro SOL as a member of its community outreach program.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Prenatal Outreach & Care Coordination

- Conduct proactive outreach to Latina prenatal patients who miss or are at risk of missing scheduled appointments, using phone, text, and community-based contact as appropriate.
- Identify and assess individual barriers to care, including immigration-related fears, transportation challenges, language access needs, and limited social support.
- Facilitate re-engagement in prenatal services by connecting patients with appointments, transportation assistance (including Lyft partnerships), and other logistical support.
- Coordinate referrals to food resources, social services, and community organizations to address social determinants of health.
- Maintain consistent, trusting relationships with enrolled patients to support continuity of care throughout the prenatal and postpartum periods.

Mental Health Support — Strong Minds Intervention

- Deliver the Strong Minds evidence-based intervention to pregnant and postpartum Latina patients experiencing mild to moderate depression, under the direct clinical supervision of Centro SOL's clinical team.
- Administer PHQ-9 depression screenings pre- and post-intervention to track participant progress and outcomes.
- Provide culturally responsive psychoeducation and structured mental health support addressing depression, stress, isolation, and migration-related trauma.
- Identify patients in need of higher-level mental health services and facilitate timely referrals to appropriate clinical care.

Documentation & Data Management

- Maintain accurate, timely, and complete records of all patient contacts, outreach activities, and service referrals using CHW outreach logs and documentation systems.
- Track patient engagement, appointment attendance, and intervention participation using the EPIC electronic health record system and other program tools.
- Prepare and submit required program reports and data to support program evaluation and funder reporting.
- Attend and actively participate in clinical supervision sessions, team check-ins, and staff meetings.

Community Engagement & Representation

- Represent Centro SOL as a member of the community outreach team at community events, health fairs, and partner meetings.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Baltimore Medical System, Hopkins Community Connection, and other partner organizations.
- Serve as a culturally informed advocate for program participants, helping them navigate healthcare systems with confidence and trust.
- Communicate regularly with the Centro SOL Executive Director and clinical supervisors regarding case updates, participant needs, and program progress.
- Complete other tasks and activities as required.

Other

- Must have valid driver's license and access to a reliable personal vehicle; ability to travel within Baltimore City and surrounding communities.
- Ability to work in both clinical (in-person at Yard 56) and remote/community-based settings.

Minimum Qualifications

- High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
- Two years of related experience.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

- Associate or Bachelor's Degree in a Health, Social Services, or related field.
- Certification as a Maryland Community Health Worker (CHW) or willingness to obtain certification within the first year of employment.
- Prior experience delivering structured or evidence-based mental health interventions (e.g., Strong Minds, or similar community-based programs).
- Experience working in a clinical or healthcare setting, including familiarity with private patient information.
- Personal lived experience as a member of the Latino immigrant community or as someone who has navigated immigration-related challenges.
- Familiarity with Baltimore City's Latino community, community organizations, and social services landscape.
- Prior experience in maternal health, prenatal care support, or postpartum services is highly desirable.
- One year of experience in community outreach, patient engagement, care coordination, or a related community health role.
- Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) and proficiency in professional English (reading and writing).

Classified Title: Community Outreach Specialist 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Community Health Worker (Pediatrics)   
Role/Level/Range: ACRO37.5/02/CC  
Starting Salary Range: $16.10 - $26.90 HRLY ($45,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Flexible, to include alternating late evenings and early mornings as needed 
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Johns Hopkins Bayview  
Department name: SOM Ped Bay Bayview Pediatric Unit   
Personnel area: School of Medicine