Community Health Worker

Inova Fairfax Hospital is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Health Worker (CHW) to join our team. This is a full-time day-shift position, offering 40 hours per week.

This CHW role provides advanced trauma-informed advocacy and coordinated response services to support patients experiencing complex, high-acuity, or high-risk situations related to domestic violence and sexual abuse. This role functions as an experienced clinical and operational resource within the Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team, supporting both patient care and program operations across the hospital setting.

The CHW works closely with community health, case management care teams, and social services agencies to provide care coordination and connection to resources and programs for patients to improve their health and general well-being through education and provision of coordination of care and services. Works in both clinical and community-based settings, including patient’s homes. Serves as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. 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, navigation support, and advocacy. Also works in community outreach, which includes but is not limited to home visits, assessments, care coordination, and health screenings.

Inova is consistently ranked as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience. We are also proud to be consistently recognized as a top employer in both the D.C. metro area and the nation.

Featured Benefits:

- Committed to Team Member Health: offering medical, dental and vision coverage, and a robust team member wellness program.
- Retirement: Inova matches the first 5% of eligible contributions – starting on your first day.
- Tuition and Student Loan Assistance: offering up to $5,250 per year in education assistance and up to $10,000 for student loans.
- Mental Health Support: offering all Inova team members, their spouses/partners, and their children 25 mental health coaching or therapy sessions, per person, per year, at no cost.
- Work/Life Balance: offering paid time off, paid parental leave, & flexible work schedules.

Community Health Worker - Job Responsibilities

- Provides advanced advocacy, crisis intervention, and comprehensive case coordination for high-acuity and complex patients.
- Leads safety planning and supports multidisciplinary coordination to ensure continuity of care across the healthcare encounter.
- Communicates the program’s purpose and impact to patients and advocates for individual and community health equity. Helps patients identify socio-economic factors affecting their health and develop management plans. Supports patients in understanding care plans and instructions. Identifies and addresses barriers to care for individuals. Provides culturally and linguistically appropriate health education.
- Assists patients in accessing health services (e.g., medical home, overcoming care barriers).
- Assist patients in communities, clinics, and ER settings. Offers care, support, follow-up, and education in community settings.
- Motivates patients to engage actively in their health and well-being.
- Collects, tracks, and reports community data and benefits. Executes and supports evidence-based community health programs. Contributes to departmental goals and adheres to policies, procedures, and safety standards. Ensures compliance with governmental and accreditation regulations. Documents patient encounters, activities, service plans, and outcomes. Maintains comprehensive electronic patient files (notes, release of information, assessments).
- Assists in helping patients access safe and stable shelters and housing
- Coaches patients on managing chronic conditions and self-care. Enhances patients' ability to communicate with healthcare providers.
- Integrates with hospital care teams to ensure patient wellness and care plan progress.
- Participates in quality improvement teams and community outreach efforts. Attends meetings, serves on committees, and represents the department in outreach activities.
- Refers individuals to federal, state, private, or nonprofit health and human services programs. Coordinates referrals and follow-up services.
- Serves as a liaison between communities, individuals, and healthcare organizations.
- May staff community events and activities as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

- High school diploma or GED

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience providing compassionate, trauma-informed care to patients who have experienced sexual or domestic abuse is strongly preferred.