Have you ever helped a family member or friend receive healthcare services? Do your neighbors or friends come to you for help? Are there things harming your community you feel passionate about changing? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," this might be the service opportunity for you.
CHWs are trusted, knowledgeable frontline health personnel who typically come from the communities they serve. CHWs bridge cultural and linguistic barriers, expand access to coverage and care, and improve health outcomes.
Service Activities
UHC CHW responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following:
• Establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families to help them become more engaged in their health
• Conducting intake interviews with patients utilizing motivational interviewing and health coaching, and enrolling and/or referring patients into applicable health and community resources
• Following-up with patients via phone calls, home visits, and visits to other settings where patients can be found
• Working closely with clinical teams to ensure that patients have comprehensive and coordinated care
• Documenting patient activities and outcomes in appropriate databases
• Attending team meetings as assigned to discuss progress, successes, and challenges related to the position
• Other duties as assigned by clinic or supervisors must be in accordance with AmeriCorps terms and conditions
Community Need Addressed
Utah is tied for third highest in the nation in the percentage of uninsured individuals. This represents over 373,900 uninsured Utahns, or one out of every 12 individuals. Likewise, Utah is tied for the second highest proportion of uninsured children, equating to 104,500 children—a 40% increase from the previous year (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016). Utahns living at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are four times more likely to be uninsured (20.7%) than Utahns living at or above 200% FPL (5.1%); and Latino Utahns are nearly four times more likely to be uninsured (30.3%) than non-Latino Utahns (8.1%) (CDC, 2016).
Chronic diseases and conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and stroke, are among the most common, costly, and yet preventable of all health problems in the United States. Nearly one in three Americans is diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions and more than 65% of healthcare spending is associated with care for this population (CDC, 2018). Lower socioeconomic status is linked to a higher prevalence of health disparities including diabetes and hypertension (CDC, 2016). Additionally, from 2000 to 2015, Utah experienced a nearly 400% increase in deaths from the misuse of prescription drugs, and from 2013-2015, Utah ranked fifth highest in the nation for prescription drug overdose deaths (Alpine Recovery Lodge, 2017).
Position Outcomes
Interventions by community-based health workers improve health outcomes, especially for low-income, underserved, and racial and ethnic minority communities (Kangovi et al., 2017, Kim et al., 2016). Members will fill an industry need for trusted intermediaries between clients and the larger healthcare system, reducing healthcare costs and providing individualized support and care management for those with chronic conditions.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
• Living stipend in the mount of $1,500/month ($18,000/year), distributed bi-monthly
• Eli Segal Education award in the amount of $5,920 upon successful completion of service
• Postponement of eligible student loans
• Health insurance premium reimbursement (to include dental) up to $170 per month for those not enrolled in a plan
• Childcare assistance, if eligible
• Professional development and subject-matter training
Additional Details:
Members are responsible for facilitating: postponement of eligible student loans with their loan holders, enrollment into a health insurance plan at the start of service, and enrollment into the childcare assistance program if eligible. These processes are not automatic and must be driven by the member.
Education Benefits
Members will receive CPR and Basic Life Support certification.
Skills you will gain
Care coordination, case management, interpersonal communication, time management, community engagement.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment