The Community Translational Research Institute (CTRI) CTRI brings together key institutions and individuals from the public and private sectors, including academic, public health and community medicine institutions, as well as neighborhood schools and community-based organizations for the prevention of chronic diseases. CTRI transforms population health practice through translation of prevention science into community-based programs and sustained practice and policy. The founding CTRI partners include leaders of the Claremont Graduate University School of Community and Global Health, the County of Riverside, the Inland Empire Health Plan, and the University of California Riverside School of Medicine.
The Community Health Worker (CHW) acts as a frontline advocate supporting population health and engagement initiatives. This role involves conducting outreach, screenings, and care navigation for vulnerable populations, including Medi-Cal members and refugees, to bridge gaps in health equity. By building community trust, the CHW facilitates service enrollment and delivers culturally responsive health education across various grant-funded programs.
This position supports services delivered under the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Participating Provider Agreement for Community Health Worker Services. All services must comply with IEHP administrative guidelines, documentation standards, and regulatory requirements.
This is a full time (40 hours per week), benefited position.
Employment is provided by Heluna Health
The pay rate for this role is $25 per hour.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Community Outreach & Engagement
- Conduct field and community outreach to identify and engage eligible individuals and families.
- Build trusted relationships with community members, faith groups, clinics, shelters, and partners.
- Verify Medi-Cal and health plan eligibility prior to enrollment in CHW services.
- Track outreach activities in accordance with contract productivity standards and reporting timelines.
- Support outreach campaigns including:
MENA community engagement
Health promotion and prevention
Community education events
- Represent CTRI at community meetings, health fairs, and partner events.
Screening, Enrollment & Navigation
- Conduct screenings for health-related social needs (housing, food, behavioral health, benefits, etc.).
- Support enrollment into CHW services, Community Supports, and other CTRI programs.
- Verify IEHP Member eligibility prior to initiating services and document eligibility status in the care management system.
- Assist clients with applications for benefits (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, etc.).
- Provide navigation and warm handoffs to:
Primary care
Behavioral health
Substance use treatment
Housing and social services
- Accompany high-risk clients to appointments when appropriate.
Care Coordination Support
- Support individualized care plans and follow-up activities.
- Assist with appointment reminders, medication pick-up coordination, and service linkage.
- Provide ongoing follow-up and engagement to reduce care gaps.
- Identify and report Member grievances, safety concerns, or adverse events in accordance with IEHP policies.
- Operate within the defined scope of Community Health Worker services and escalate clinical concerns to licensed providers as appropriate.
Health Education & Coaching
- Provide culturally responsive health education and coaching.
- Support chronic disease prevention and self-management education.
- Use motivational interviewing and strengths-based approaches.
- Promote mental health awareness and stigma reduction.
Documentation & Data Reporting
- Document outreach, encounters, referrals, and outcomes in EHR/care platforms.
- Maintain accurate and timely service documentation per program requirements.
- Track outreach, enrollment, and service metrics.
- Support quality improvement and reporting activities.
- Submit a monthly cumulative report
- Complete documentation in accordance with IEHP Participating Provider Agreement requirements.
- Ensure documentation supports medical necessity and services rendered.
- Submit encounter information accurately and within required timelines to support reimbursement.
- Maintain records in accordance with IEHP record retention and access-to-records requirements.
- Participate in documentation reviews or audits conducted by IEHP or authorized entities.
Program Development & Collaboration
- Support development of community partnerships and referral networks.
- Participate in case conferences, team meetings, and trainings.
- Assist with program planning and outreach strategies.
- Provide feedback on community needs and service gaps.
- Support interns or volunteer CHWs when assigned.
Regulatory & Compliance Responsibilities
- Comply with all IEHP policies, administrative guidelines, and regulatory requirements applicable to Community Health Worker services.
- Complete required compliance trainings including HIPAA and confidentiality standards.
- Maintain strict protection of Member Protected Health Information (PHI).
- Cooperate with IEHP audits, monitoring activities, or site visits.
- Report suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or compliance concerns to supervisor promptly.
- Other duties assigned.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience
- High school diploma required; Associate or Bachelor’s preferred in public health, social work, or related field.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in community outreach, healthcare navigation, social services, or case management support.
- Experience working with underserved or multicultural populations.
Preferred Qualifications
- CHW certification (California preferred).
- Experience with Medi-Cal, ECM, or community-based programs.
- Experience working within a managed care or health plan environment.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Cultural humility and trauma-informed approach.
- Ability to work independently in field settings.
- Knowledge of community resources in Riverside & San Bernardino.
- Basic computer skills and EHR documentation ability.
- Bilingual preferred (English + Spanish, Farsi/Dari, Pashto or Arabic).
- Strong organizational skills, including an ability to manage multiple work projects simultaneously, track project details, and meet deadlines.
- Strong technical skills with Microsoft excel and experience with database management (e.g., Electronic Health Record Systems) preferred.
- Ability to attend meetings, provide training, technical assistance, and other job-related duties in locations throughout Southern California and have reliable transportation to carry out essential functions.
Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
- A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
- Successful Live Scan (background check) clearance.
- Must successfully complete a tuberculosis (TB) clearance.
- Must not be currently excluded or debarred from participation in any Federal or State healthcare programs (Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Medicaid).
Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Proficient skill set in using an array of Microsoft Office Suite software programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Adobe Reader, One Note, Outlook, Publisher, Teams, Outlook, Zoom etc.
- Able to multi-task and set workload priorities for time sensitive projects/tasks.
- Ability to problem solve and make recommendations to processes, policies, etc.
- Able to communicate with all levels of personnel, e.g., written, verbal, in a professional and concise/clear manner; ability to work within a project team and/or independently.
- Able to work in a very diverse environment and with diverse individuals.
- Ability to be flexible in meeting changing work tasks and timelines; must be dependable and reliable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand Frequently
Walk Frequently
Sit Frequently
Handling / Fingering Occasionally
Reach Outward Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally
Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
See Constantly
Taste/ Smell Not Applicable
Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly (5+ hrs/day)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled. Frequent field and community travel.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Interested candidates should submit a resume and for consideration.
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.