Introducing Community Health Workers
So what does this mean for
Homecare Workers?
J J. is 30 years old and lives in
Portland. Because of coriiplicatiohs
from diabetes and high blood
pressure, she suffers from the loss
of most of her sight, kidney failure
requiting dialysis three times a week,
nerve damage tô her legs,Anxiety and
depression. Last year she visited the
Emergency Department 95 tithes and
was hospitalized 16 times, costing the
Oregon Health Plan $250,000.
There are still many unknowns about
how CCOs will work. But this is what we
know so far:
This year a Community Health
Worker (CHW) keeps in close contact
with jj. to set up and keep regular
appointments With her doctor,
behavioral therapist, and dialysis. '
The CHW helps with her diet, and
organizes her pills and provides
practicalhelp like giving her bus
tickets, taking food to her, and
keeping in touch through phone
calls, emails, and texts. The CHW also
linked JJ. tô community resources
and found subsidized housing for her.
JJ.'s health is now more stable and
visits to the hospital have dropped
dramatically.
Pilot programs across the US and
abroad have shown that CHWs are
cost effective and result in better
health, improved use of health
services, reduced costs due to
preventive care and less reliance on
emergency and hospital card.
This year the Oregon Legislature
passed a health transformation
bill creating Coordinated Care
Organizations (ÇCO) which will
provide physical, mental, and dental
health services for Medicaid patients
within a global budget. CCOs will be
held accountable for health outcomes
with a strong incentive for prevention
and wellness and will be encouraged
to be innovative to meet the needs
of the communities they serve. One
tool in the health reform toolkit is the
appropriate use of CHWs.
•
CHWs will be needed everywhere in
Oregon.
•
The Oregon Homecare Commission
will develop a CHW training
program for homecare workers who
qualify.
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The Non-Traditional Health Worker
subcommittee is informing the
Oregon Health Policy Board on
g issues around roles, training
requirements, certification, and
career pathways.
Your union is directly involved
in working with the Homecare
Commission and serving on the
Non-Traditional Health Worker
subcommittee.
Here are the roles of a Community
Health Worker that have been defined
sb far. Do you see yourself doing some
of these roles?
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•
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Outreach and Mobilization
Provide health-related information
to community members and
those who are underserved due
to barrierslike lack of insurance,
limited English, or isolation.
Community and Cultural Liaison
Create and support connections
between individuals, family,
community, health systems,\
community based organisations
bridging culture, language,
6geographic differences, social
determinants of health.
Case Management, Coordination,
and System Navigation Work
together with your client's health
care team, advocate and help
people decide on options and
accessing services.
Health Promotion and Coaching
Help people increase control over
their health and improve wellness. ■
The CHW's job requires many skilly
including good communication,
interpersonal skills, teaching, service
coordination, advocacy, capacity
building, knowledge base on public
health, the community, and resources,
and organizational ability. The good
thing is that skills can be taught
through study and practice.
However, if you are thinking that
becoming a CHW is a good career
move for you, keep in mind that
Qualities of a CHW cannot be taught
and äre absolutely necessary to do this
work. These qualities are:
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Belonging to the community you'll
be serving
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Friendly, outgoing, sociable
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Strong and courageous
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Patient
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Open-minded and non-
judgmental
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Motivated and capable of self
directed work
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Caring, compassionate
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Honest
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Committed and dedicated
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Respectful
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Open and eager to grow, change
and learn
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Dependable, responsible, reliable
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Flexible and adaptable
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Desire to help the community
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Persistent
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Creative and resourceful
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Sense of humor
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Supportive (helping) rather than
directive (telling)
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Emotionally mature
A model fbr trying to live a healthy
lifestyle
If you are interested in learning more
about Comrhunity Health Workers,
contact Marilyn McManus at
503-408-4090, ext 466. The next issue
of Dignity will have an update on
CCOs, Community Health Workers, and
training opportunities as they develop.