Health Underwriter jobs in Chico, CA

Community Health Worker

Who we are

Vayu Health is an equity-focused non-profit healthcare company in California launching a completely different care model for low-income people living with uncontrolled chronic conditions (starting with people with diabetes) who also have high social and behavioral needs (whole person care), and we are looking for like-minded people passionate about equity, person-centered care, and reducing barriers to accessing high-caliber care. We believe that a major shift is needed in the way we care.  

We are and believe in

• Acting with passion and creativity

• Leading with integrity

• Committing to being better

• Achieving strength through teams

• Inclusivity, where all individuals should be treated with grace and dignity

The Opportunity

As we expand and transform the primary care experience, we are looking for a Community Health Worker to support patients and help those who are most at-risk.  The Community Health Worker will have a direct impact on many patient’s lives in a meaningful way. This position will be acting as a patient advocate and liaison related to their social, behavioral, and/or medical needs. Patient advocacy will be critical and will require respect for the beliefs, value system, and decisions of the patient.  

This role requires an energetic, innovative, quick learner who adapts easily to new situations, appreciates challenges, has a passion to help others, and connects people with community resources to improve their health and well being.  You will be a self-motivated and deeply caring individual who enjoys connecting with people and you identify as a natural helper.  You possess the strong ability to connect with patients, empathetic and altruistic qualities, and you are a persistent advocate. You demonstrate good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and a problem-solving mindset. 

As a Community Health Worker, you’ll have the chance to motivate and empower patients, address social needs that drive health outcomes, engage patients, support complex case management, and help patients navigate social services in their community. In collaboration with the Vayu Health clinical team, you will boost awareness of the support available to patients through Vayu, build therapeutic relationships, maintain cultural competency, and serve a group of patients to build and maintain trusting relationships. 

Specific Responsibilities

• Patient Management & Health Education

• Foster lasting and trusting relationships as the face of the care team and key point-of-contact to assist patients goal setting, achieving goals (ie action planning), identifying new needs, providing support, and advocacy to help achieve health goals

• Meets with patients in patient-centered and patient-preferred locations (e.g. clinic and community setting)

• Participate in video and tele-visits, provide education on optimal lifestyle for chronic disease management

• Facilitates health education and behavior change strategies with individuals and groups

• Empowers patients to implement self-management skills related to health status

• Advocates for health equality and access at the individual and community level.    

• Reports patient’s concerns and symptoms, reactions, changes (appropriate to age) to licensed clinic personnel.

• Drives engagement with patients (e.g., completed appointments, adherence to post-discharge plans, adherence to medication regimen), which may include accompaniment to appointments

• Assists completion of applications to access eligible benefits

• Facilitate communication between all identified parties for the patient involved in care (e.g., family members, caregivers, care providers/team, community-based organizations).

• Participate in team coordination and collaboration to ensure whole person care is provided.

• Coordinates communications and transactions between patient, ancillary services, consultants, and physicians.

• Coordinates authorization required by insurance.

• Documents clinical information, including patient phone calls, accurately and completely and within the specified time.

• Community Engagement 

  • Establishes contacts with relevant organizations (such as food banks, churches, etc.), providers, and community to identify patients to match with services offered

  • Conducts outreach (individual and group) to identify and engage community members around health and wellness activities, particularly the hard-to-reach groups to reduce health disparities

  • Travels throughout the corporation's service area as required

  • Maintains a log of community contacts

  • Maintains records as required

  • Develops and maintains relationships with key community leaders

• Member Enrollment and Outreach

  • Provides written promotional material to relevant organizations (such as food banks, churches, etc.) to identify patients to match with services offered

  • Participates in recruitment within the clinic to identify members that may benefit from the extra layer of support that Vayu provides

  • Participates in recruitment within the community to identify members that may benefit from the extra layer of support

  • Promotes special Health events in the service areas

  • Develops promotional materials (flyers, etc.)

  • All other tasks as assigned

Education and Licenses Required:

• Qualifications: 

  • Required: 

    • Minimum high school diploma

    • Valid California driver’s license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation

    • Community Volunteer Experience

    • Ability to complete the health tests to be cleared by each FQHC (may include: lab testing, physical, access to health records, etc).

    • This position will need to obtain CHW certification within 18 months 

    • Bilingual in English and Spanish

  • Preferred:

    • Healthcare Experience (i.e. community-based or social services)

    • Lived Medicaid and/or Chronic Condition Experience in self or family friend

Successful candidates will possess:

• A helper’s mindset

• Excels at empathy and human interactions

• Outstanding record of maintaining professional relationships and a positive attitude

• Alignment with the mission, vision, and values of Vayu

• Excellent attention to detail and follow-up.

• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills; anticipates consequences of actions and potential problems; ability to enact change quickly.

• Ability to develop and promote innovative ideas

• A desire to improve the health of individuals and whole communities

• A passion for working within the community you are a part of or have been a part of in the past 

• Ability to make decisions independently

• Able to work with a team collaboratively 

• Competent in MS Office Suite and/or Google Workspace/G Suite

* This position requires travel between clinics