Professional Medical Assessment Centres jobs

Community Health Worker

Job Title: Community Health Worker

Status: 1.0 FTE

Location: EFry Health Services Society, Surrey

Posting #: 26-011

Schedule: Monday – Friday

The Opportunity

EFry Health Centre is seeking a Community Health Worker (CHW) to help individuals and families access equitable, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and person-centred primary healthcare.

As part of our interdisciplinary team, you will connect patients with healthcare providers and community services, helping address barriers such as poverty, housing instability, language differences, discrimination, and social isolation.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Health Worker

Works collaboratively with: Primary Care Providers, Nursing, Allied Health, Mental Health, Medical Office Assistants, and Community Partners

Position Summary

The Community Health Worker (CHW) plays an integral role in supporting equitable access to comprehensive, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and person-centred primary healthcare services at EFry Health Centre.

Working within an interdisciplinary healthcare team, the CHW supports individuals and families experiencing barriers to healthcare access, including those related to poverty, housing instability, language, cultural differences, social isolation, discrimination, and challenges navigating the healthcare system.

The CHW serves as an important connection between patients, healthcare providers, and community services. The position supports patient access, eligibility screening, intake coordination, healthcare navigation, outreach, health promotion, and community engagement.

The CHW also supports the patient attachment process, including waitlist coordination and communication with prospective patients, as required by the Health Centre's operational needs. As patient attachment activities decrease, the position will continue to focus on healthcare navigation, patient engagement, outreach, community partnerships, and supporting patients in accessing appropriate services.

The CHW works collaboratively with clinical and administrative team members to promote continuity of care, reduce barriers to services, and support positive patient experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Access, Eligibility Screening and Intake Coordination

• Serve as an initial point of contact for individuals seeking access to EFry Health Centre services.
• Conduct non-clinical eligibility screening in accordance with established organizational criteria and procedures.
• Explain the Health Centre's services, eligibility requirements, registration processes, and available programs.
• Support the patient attachment process, including maintaining waitlists and coordinating communication with prospective patients, as required.
• Contact prospective patients to confirm eligibility, explain the intake process, and coordinate next steps.
• Coordinate with Medical Office Assistants, nursing staff, and primary care providers to facilitate timely intake appointments.
• Support patients in completing registration forms, gathering necessary documentation, and understanding the intake process.
• Identify barriers that may prevent patients from accessing or completing intake appointments and provide appropriate navigation support.
• Follow up with prospective patients who have not responded to outreach or have missed intake appointments, in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation of eligibility screening, intake coordination, and patient communication.
• Refer concerns requiring clinical assessment or professional judgment to the appropriate healthcare professional.
• Support improvements to patient access and intake processes as organizational needs evolve.

Healthcare Navigation and Patient Support

• Assist patients in understanding and navigating primary healthcare services and the broader healthcare system.
• Support patients in accessing internal and external healthcare services, including specialist appointments, diagnostic services, mental health supports, and community programs.
• Help patients understand appointment processes, referral pathways, and available healthcare resources.
• Identify practical barriers to accessing healthcare, including transportation, language, financial limitations, and health literacy.
• Facilitate connections to appropriate community agencies and programs.
• Provide non-clinical follow-up to support patients in accessing recommended services.
• Collaborate with nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals when patients require additional support.
• Support patients in accessing resources related to housing, food security, income assistance, transportation, and other social determinants of health.
• Promote patient independence, informed decision-making, and self-advocacy.
• Assist patients in maintaining connections with healthcare services, particularly when they experience ongoing barriers to access.

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, social service agencies, shelters, settlement services, and other partners serving vulnerable populations.
• Promote awareness of EFry Health Centre's services and available referral pathways.
• Participate in outreach initiatives designed to improve healthcare access for underserved populations.
• Support individuals who may be disconnected from healthcare services in establishing connections with appropriate providers and community resources.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and improve coordination between healthcare and community services.
• Participate in community meetings, outreach activities, and collaborative initiatives as appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of emerging community needs, available resources, and service gaps.
• Contribute to initiatives that promote equitable healthcare access and continuity of care.

Cultural Safety, Equity and Patient Advocacy

• Provide respectful, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental support to patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Recognize how cultural, linguistic, historical, and socioeconomic factors may influence patients' experiences with healthcare.
• Support patients in communicating their needs, concerns, and preferences to healthcare providers.
• Facilitate access to qualified interpretation services when language barriers are identified.
• Support culturally appropriate communication and understanding between patients and healthcare team members.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to barriers related to racism, discrimination, stigma, and systemic inequities.
• Support patients in understanding available services and participating meaningfully in decisions affecting their healthcare.
• Respect patient autonomy, confidentiality, cultural identity, and individual preferences.
• Promote an inclusive and welcoming healthcare environment.

Health Promotion and Education

• Provide patients with approved, non-clinical health education materials and information about available services.
• Promote awareness of preventive healthcare, screening programs, health promotion initiatives, and community wellness resources.
• Support patients in accessing appropriate health education opportunities.
• Participate in health promotion activities and community engagement initiatives.
• Reinforce general healthcare information provided by regulated healthcare professionals without independently interpreting clinical advice.
• Identify opportunities to improve patients' understanding of available healthcare services and community supports.
• Contribute to patient education and wellness initiatives developed by the interdisciplinary team.

Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, clinical counsellors, allied health professionals, and administrative staff.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, patient care coordination discussions, and organizational initiatives as appropriate.
• Communicate relevant non-clinical patient concerns to the appropriate healthcare team member.
• Support coordinated patient transitions between intake, primary care, allied health, mental health, and community services.
• Assist team members in identifying community resources and practical supports for patients.
• Contribute to a respectful, collaborative, and supportive team environment.
• Recognize professional boundaries and refer clinical concerns to qualified healthcare professionals.
• Support interdisciplinary initiatives aimed at improving patient access, engagement, and continuity of care.

Documentation, Reporting and Administration

• Maintain timely, accurate, and objective documentation of patient navigation, screening, outreach, referrals, and follow-up activities in approved organizational systems.
• Use the electronic medical record (EMR) and other designated systems in accordance with organizational policies and role-based access permissions.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy legislation and organizational requirements.
• Support collection of program activity information related to patient access, intake coordination, outreach, and healthcare navigation.
• Assist with preparing statistical information and reports related to program activities, as required.
• Identify service gaps, recurring barriers, and opportunities for quality improvement.
• Participate in the development and improvement of workflows, procedures, and patient access processes.
• Maintain organized and accurate records in accordance with organizational standards.

Scope of Role and Professional Boundaries

The Community Health Worker is a non-regulated, non-clinical position.

The CHW does not independently undertake clinical assessments, diagnose health conditions, provide treatment recommendations, conduct clinical risk assessments, or make decisions requiring regulated professional judgment.

Where patients present with urgent medical or mental health concerns, the CHW follows established organizational procedures to facilitate immediate connection with an appropriate healthcare professional or emergency service.

The CHW does not replace the role of a qualified medical interpreter, social worker, nurse, or other regulated healthcare professional.

The CHW is expected to work within established organizational policies, procedures, and delegated responsibilities.

Qualifications

Education

• Diploma or certificate in community health, social services, community support, human services, or a related discipline.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum two years of relevant experience in community health, social services, healthcare navigation, outreach, or working with vulnerable populations preferred.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing poverty, housing instability, trauma, discrimination, or barriers to healthcare access.
• Experience working within an interdisciplinary healthcare or community service environment is an asset.
• Familiarity with primary healthcare services and community resources in Surrey, North Delta, and surrounding communities is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed, culturally safe, and person-centred approaches to service delivery.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health and their impact on healthcare access.
• Understanding of the barriers experienced by vulnerable women, children, families, newcomers, and gender-diverse individuals.
• Knowledge of community healthcare, social service, housing, settlement, and mental health resources.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish trust and rapport with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, exercise discretion, and protect confidential information.
• Ability to recognize concerns requiring escalation to clinical professionals.
• Competence using electronic documentation systems, Microsoft Office, and other workplace technology.
• Ability to work independently while following established organizational policies and procedures.
• Additional language skills and experience supporting culturally diverse communities are considered assets.

Working Conditions

• Primarily based at EFry Health Centre in Surrey, British Columbia.
• May participate in community outreach activities, meetings, and off-site initiatives.
• Regular interaction with patients experiencing complex social, economic, and healthcare challenges.
• Work requires flexibility, sound judgment, professional boundaries, and the ability to respond appropriately to changing priorities.
• Standard working hours are 37.5 hours per week, with scheduling determined by operational requirements.

Organizational Responsibilities

All employees of EFry Health Services Society are expected to:

• Uphold the organization's mission, values, and commitment to equitable healthcare access.
• Maintain professional conduct and respectful workplace relationships.
• Comply with organizational policies, privacy requirements, and occupational health and safety procedures.
• Participate in orientation, training, professional development, and quality improvement activities.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and psychologically safe work environment.
• Support the ongoing development and improvement of EFry Health Centre's services.

Position Accountability

The Community Health Worker is accountable for carrying out assigned responsibilities in a professional, timely, and collaborative manner, consistent with organizational policies, established procedures, and the non-clinical scope of the position.

Responsibilities and priorities may evolve in response to patient needs, service demands, and the operational development of EFry Health Centre.

The position supports patient access and attachment activities as required, while maintaining an ongoing focus on healthcare navigation, patient engagement, outreach, community connections, and continuity of care.

Other Duties

Performs other related duties consistent with the position's qualifications, responsibilities, and non-clinical scope, as assigned by the Operations Manager.

About EFry Health Centre

Opened in September 2023, the EFry Health Centre is a community health centre providing integrated, team-based primary care and health services to women and their dependent children who experience barriers to accessing healthcare.

Our interdisciplinary team works collaboratively to provide patient-centred, trauma-informed and culturally safe care. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and supportive workplace for our employees and the communities we serve.

Interested candidates, please submit a cover letter and resume to with the subject line 26-011. The position will remain open until filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pay: $29.62-$31.40 per hour

Benefits:

• Extended health care

Work Location: In person