Community Health Worker, Mobile Medical Unit

The Community Health Worker (CHW) contributes to the calling of Medical Teams International by serving as a trusted liaison between Medical Teams and community members, healthcare providers, and social service organizations. This role provides outreach, health education, care coordination, and navigation support to increase access to health services, reduce barriers, and promote wellness among underserved populations.  

Medical Teams International Calling:   

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• In collaboration with partner organizations and Medical Teams staff, support clinic patients by identifying and addressing barriers to care, determining health insurance status, assisting with Health Plan enrollment, and providing education and guidance on insurance navigation, including referrals for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and other Medicaid programs dependent on geographical context. 
• Connect patients to primary care providers and confirm attendance at initial appointments. 
• Offer culturally responsive, trauma-informed assistance to help participants navigate healthcare and social service systems, including scheduling, transportation, and coordination with other health providers. 
• Provide culturally responsive health education on disease prevention, vaccine confidence, chronic disease management, oral health, nutrition, and overall wellness using evidence-based educational approaches tailored to community needs. 
• Maintain and manage up-to-date resource lists; refer patients to community-based organizations for food, housing, behavioral health, and other support services. 
• Build trusted relationships with individuals, families, and community members through culturally responsive outreach and engagement, serving as a bridge to health and social service systems and advocating for equitable, high-quality preventive health services, including routine and seasonal immunizations. 
• Provide evidence-based health education and address health myths and misinformation using trauma-informed, culturally responsive communication and motivational interviewing techniques, supporting individuals in making informed healthcare decisions. 
• Collaborate with case managers, clinical teams, and community partners to ensure holistic support for patients with complex medical, mental health, or substance use needs. 
• Apply Medical Teams’ validated health screening tools, as appropriate. 
• Collect and report data required by Medical Teams and funders; prepare accurate and timely reports for internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA and organizational confidentiality standards. 
• Maintain thorough and accurate documentation in the electronic health record system. 
• Contribute to quality and performance improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery. 
• Respond to emergent health issues as trained, providing first aid or Basic Life Support as appropriate. 
• May serve as a focal point or mentor for new staff or students assigned to Medical Teams. 

Other Duties:  

• Attend coordination and planning meetings.  
• Utilizes volunteers as needed. 
• Participate in evaluation and feedback processes.  
• Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse & Harassment, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations. 
• Other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications

EDUCATION, LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS 

Required:   

• High school diploma or GED  
• Oregon Health Authority Trained and Certified Assister Training through OHA (active certification), or similar certification required in jurisdiction 
• Valid driver’s license 
• BLS for Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association 

Preferred:  

• AA or bachelor’s degree in a healthcare related field  

EXPERIENCE 

Required:   

• 2 years’ experience in healthcare, community-based outreach, social work, mental health, disability care, or other applicable field  
• Minimum of six months’ experience in health insurance or healthcare system navigation, preferably including documentation of billable services in an electronic health record (EHR) 
• Familiarity and/or experience working with farm workers, day laborers, members of Tribal Nations or similar populations  

Preferred: 

• Experience working in mobile healthcare 
• Experience with local public health, education, human services, childcare, dental service providers or disability services organizations 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

Knowledge:  

• Knowledge of standards that OHA and other partners require in programs funded by state health authorities  
• A basic understanding of the US health system  
• A basic understanding of and/or training in Trauma Informed Care 
• Cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the populations being served 
• Basic medical knowledge, including the ability to recognize social and health risk factors and chronic disease conditions  
• Understanding of the services available to migrants, farm workers, the unhoused, people living with substance use and behavioral health needs and tribal communities and the policies impacting these populations preferred 

Skills: 

• Moderately skilled in Microsoft 365 software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc. 
• Excellent interpersonal, relational and communication skills   
• Skilled at email and written communication to partners and clients  
• Demonstrates basic competency in navigating electronic health records systems  
• Excellent English written and verbal skills 

Abilities: 

• Commitment to Medical Teams International Calling Statement and Core Values 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and weekends, as needed  
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently between focus communities, as needed  
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, including patients, families, clinical team members and community resources 
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences 
• Ability to openly address and acknowledge issues of substance use and mental illness 
• Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in communities 
• Comfortable working with people with mental illness 
• Self-motivated and the ability to work independently 

SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES:  

Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment and selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates’ eligibility, thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Frequent use of a computer, databases and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer. 
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer. 
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself. 
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder 
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. 
• Seldom to occasionally position oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot. 

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. 
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions.  
• This position includes frequent regional travel up 4 hours per week, with occasional overnight stays as needed. 

BENEFITS  

The following information outlines typical benefits available for U.S. based fixed-term employees, working 30 hours or more per week. Actual benefits may be prorated for other than full-time work.  

• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
• Flexible work schedule options 
• Life insurance & AD&D 
• Generous vacation time, sick leave, and up to 12 paid holidays per year 
• 401k retirement plan 
• Employee Assistance Plan 

For a full description of our benefits, you can learn more here.

Compensation: 

The anticipated hiring range is $22.36-$26.44 USD hourly. Final compensation will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location. 

Position Funding: This position is grant-funded and will initially be offered as a fixed-term, two-year position. Continuation beyond the initial term is dependent on funding availability.