About this position
Department: Community Based Care
Shift: Full-Time | 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Pay Grade: 106
Location: Multiple Sites | Community- Based/Field Based (City of Chicago)
Mission
Heartland Alliance Health’s (HAH) mission is to transform healthcare for the most vulnerable – particularly people experiencing homelessness, mental illness or addictions, or struggling with
The Street Outreach Coordinator (Community Health Worker – Outreach & Registration Focus) is responsible for engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations through consistent street and site-based outreach. This role builds trust, reduces barriers to care, and connects participants to healthcare, social services, and supportive resources.
This position supports outreach efforts across multiple locations including shelters, encampments, drop-in centers, and community sites. The Street Outreach Coordinator also plays a key role in supporting clinical access by assisting with participant registration in the Agency EHR system, verifying insurance coverage, and documenting outreach encounters and service coordination activities in accordance with confidentiality and organizational standards.
Key Responsibilities
Outreach Engagement & Participant Support
- Conduct regular outreach in shelters, encampments, drop-in centers, and public spaces to identify and engage individuals in need of services.
- Build rapport and trust with participants through consistent, respectful, trauma-informed, and compassionate interactions.
- Engage individuals who may not be connected to care, are referred for services, or are seeking care through emergency departments or other community settings.
- Provide ongoing support, encouragement, and follow-up to promote engagement in healthcare and supportive services.
Care Coordination, Referrals & Resource Navigation
- Provide case coordination and referrals to available services including healthcare, housing resources, food assistance, employment programs, and other community-based supports.
- Assess participant needs and connect individuals to appropriate internal and external resources.
- Assist participants with completing applications for benefits, housing programs, and other services as needed.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to support continuity of care and address social determinants of health.
- Participate in daily huddles to identify participants requiring additional support and coordinate follow-up actions.
Registration, Documentation & Clinic Support
- Support participant access to care by completing registration and/or check-in tasks in the agency EHR system as needed.
- Verify and update participant demographic information, insurance coverage, and eligibility when applicable.
- Assist with ensuring accurate documentation related to outreach encounters, referrals, and service coordination in the agency EHR system.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of participant interactions and referrals in compliance with confidentiality and organizational standards.
Appointment Support & Transportation Coordination
- Coordinate access to medical care including scheduling appointments and supporting appointment readiness.
- Facilitate transportation support for participants as appropriate, which may include arranging transportation or accompanying participants to appointments when needed and approved.
- When required and in accordance with organizational policy, may assist with transporting participants to healthcare appointments or service locations.
Program Coordination, Reporting & Outcomes Tracking
- Track and maintain outreach activities, participant progress, and outcomes using designated systems
- Maintain a caseload of participants as required by program needs and/or grant stipulations.
- Prepare reports and summaries as needed for program evaluation, performance improvement, and funding requirements.
- Participate in community meetings, partner collaborations, and advocacy efforts to strengthen systems of care.
Other Duties
- Work across multiple sites and programs as assigned based on operational needs.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma required (associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, Public Health, or related field preferred), or equivalent experience.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable populations including individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorder, refugees, or individuals with complex medical and social needs.
- Experience in outreach, community engagement, peer support, care navigation, or case coordination strongly preferred.
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
- Ability to work independently in the community and across diverse environments.
- Ability to work with vulnerable populations in a non-judgmental, trauma-informed manner.
- Knowledge of local community resources, healthcare systems, and social service systems.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize, and respond appropriately to unexpected situations.
- Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office) and comfort using electronic systems for documentation and tracking.
- Ability to document accurately and maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to travel between sites and conduct outreach in community settings.
- Proficiency in a specific language may be required based on program needs.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
Competencies
- Communication: Communicates clearly, respectfully, and effectively with participants and partners.
- Problem Solving: Identifies barriers and works toward solutions using available resources.
- Professionalism: Maintains a calm and respectful approach, even under pressure.
- Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes tasks, manages time well, and follows through on responsibilities.
- Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction, and takes responsibility for actions.
- Ethics/Confidentiality: Treats participants with respect and maintains confidentiality standards.
- Safety & Security: Uses good judgment during outreach and follows safety procedures and protocols.
Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to qualified employees, designed to support your well-being and professional growth.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Wellness Programs
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Assistance
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- The employee must frequently be able to operate an automobile/van.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Heartland Alliance Health makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans’ status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.
Salary Information