HPAC Scholar's Day 2019 CHW_Assessment_Key_Findings | Page 20

of being competent in tools such as Microsoft
Office, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel,
and Access. Additionally, it was equally
important to have the ability to use general
office equipment, which included telephone,
photocopier, fax machine, and personal
computer. Furthermore, one job description
specifically mentioned the ability to operate
a smart phone, iPad, or other mobile
communication devices. Lastly, various
descriptions mentioned knowledge in
specific programs not a part of the Microsoft
Suite, these included the Coordinated Care
System and Intergual.
Past Experience
If past experience was required for a position,
it was predominately either a certain number
of years of past experience or patient care
experience in acute care hospital settings.
Numerous positions also required experience
working with target populations and diverse
community groups.
Knowledge
The knowledge required varied significantly
depending on the position. A number
of positions either required or preferred
applicants to be bilingual, particularly
Spanish, but also fully competent in
English. Many descriptions also included
the need to be competent in reading and
writing in English. The more community
focused positions required applicants to
have basic knowledge of local, state, and
federal healthcare laws and regulations
(including Ohio Medicaid plans), knowledge
of resources and programs in designated
areas, and company policies. Some of the
certifications (other than CHW certification)
that jobs required or preferred included
a Case Management Certification, Harold
P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute
Certification, Home Visitor Certification
from ODH, Doula Certification, and Basic
Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS/
CPR). Lastly, some positions required strong
analytical skills.
Other
Outside of the above categories, there were
three additional requirements identified by
various employers. These were background
check and fingerprinting, an annual influenza
vaccination, and must reside in same
territory where the applicant was assigned to
work.
The job descriptions analyzed covered a wide
range of daily job duties, from very general,
such as proficiency with computer skills, to
very specific such as knowledge of a specific
county’s resources. Most positions included
wording about what the CHW/employee
would be expected to do out in the field
working with the client and additional duties
that are expected to be completed when
not in the field. The key words below from
job descriptions were broken down into two
categories: field focused and office/employer
focused.
Field Focused
These are the tasks CHWs would be expected
to do while in the field working with clients:
■ ■ Provide education
■ ■ Service coordination
■ ■ Risk reduction
■ ■ Risk assessments
■ ■ Informal counseling
■ ■ Support the client
■ ■ Advocacy for the client
■ ■ Collaboration with multiple entities
■ ■ Be a liaison between patient/family and
community services
■ ■ Assist in the identification and enrollment
of the client in program(s)
Secondary Data Collection
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