The Division of Infectious Diseases (ID) at the Massachusetts General Hospital is a growing, vibrant Division that provides excellent patient-centered clinical care, outstanding training, and conducts research that impacts individual and population health. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This commitment applies to staff members at all levels as well as the patient populations we care for. The ID Division is looking to hire a Community Health Worker who demonstrates these same values to join our team.


We are an enthusiastic, mission-driven community health worker to help achieve our goal of engaging and maintaining people living with HIV in care. The community health will be eager to work with, and committed to the welfare of, patients who do not consistently engage in care and/or take their prescribed antiretroviral therapy, placing them at risk for opportunistic infections, hospitalization, death and transmission of HIV to others. The community health worker will assist patients with overcoming obstacles such as housing and food instability, transportation, limited health literacy, linguistic barriers, mental illness and substance use disorders. The community health worker will be proficient at helping with any patient-related documentation. The community health worker must be comfortable working with patients from all walks of life, including LGBTQ+ patients, immigrants and refugees, and people with substance use disorders.



Principal duties and responsibilities



Under the supervision of and in conjunction with the patient care team the Community Health Worker will:


• Complete and maintain Boston Public Health Commission electronic assessment tool for eligible patients


• Collect eligibility forms and upload them to the secure server


• Assist with design and execution of individual case management plans for patients including: Health insurance and HIV drug-assistance program enrollment


• Anticipate and overcome transportation problems and childcare responsibilities


• Counseling regarding medication adherence including providing reminder calls


• Linking patients to and helping them navigate the range of services available in the Division's Primary Care practice including psychiatry, social work, nutrition, women's health, neurology and aging-related programs


• Connecting patients with other MGH resources such as substance use disorder treatment and other specialty health services to achieve holistic and optimal care


• Coordinating services with community resources such as housing and food assistance


• Visiting patients at home or in other community sessions to advance the care plan


• Calling/texting patients to remind them of visits and, when needed, assist and accompany them to appointments


• Providing emotional and logistical support to patients


• Maintaining patient privacy and upholding confidentiality


• Communicating well with other members of the care team


• Utilize on-line documentation systems including E2 Boston and EPIC to document patient care and interactions and maintain requirements of grant funding


• Maintain on-going knowledge of and relationships with community programs including Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Victory Programs, The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Casa Esperanza, the AHOPE needle exchange programs and many other services. Forge relationships with new programs as needed.


• Maintain up-to-date knowledge about the prevention and treatment of HIV and related health conditions, including antiretroviral medications


• Participate in multiple weekly team meetings



Working conditions



• Walk, bike, and travel around the hospital and into the community


• Sit for extended periods of time using a computer and telephone


• Work at the MGH Main Campus, and off-site locations, including home visits



Qualifications

Qualifications



• High school diploma or equivalent


• Experience as an outreach worker preferred


• Experience or knowledge of HIV preferred


• Experience working with persons with substance use disorders preferred


• A commitment of a minimum of two years



Skills, Abilities, and Competencies



• Work independently and as a team member


• Interact respectfully with patients and staff of different cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities


• Comfortable and professional discussing sexual and drug use behaviors with patients


• Strong command of written and spoken English


• Command of written and spoken Spanish and/or Portuguese and/or Haitian Creole strongly preferred


• Adhere to the highest standards of patient confidentiality as outlined in Massachusetts General Hospital's policies


• Proficiency with keyboarding, Windows, Microsoft Office, and database applications


EEO Statement


Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.



EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an EqualOpportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills,perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protectedveterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged