Community Health Navigator

Join CASL as a Community Health Navigator and Make a Difference 

Are you passionate about health equity and empowering communities? Do you thrive on building trust and guiding others through complex systems? 

Join CASL as a Community Health Navigator—where your compassion and commitment will help bridge the gap between healthcare access and those who need it most on Chicago’s South Side. Be the connection. Be the change. 

Your Mission: 

The Community Health Navigator (CHN) plays a critical role in advancing CASL’s mission to support and empower communities through culturally responsive, person-centered service. Working in alignment with the South Side Health Equity Collaborative (SSHEC), the CHN strengthens community wellness by addressing barriers related to healthcare access and the social determinants of health (SDoH). The CHN will serve as a key point of contact for individuals and families in the South Side of Chicago, providing guidance and linkages to successfully navigate the healthcare system, access services, and address social determinants of health. 

The Navigator’s collaborative efforts with SSHEC participants, healthcare providers, and local organizations are instrumental in identifying health needs and ensuring access to appropriate services and resources—ultimately helping reduce disparities and improve community health outcomes. 

Reporting to the CHN Associate Director, the CHN is responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments and connecting clients with the information, tools, and referrals needed to support their well-being. By acting as a client advocate and trusted resource, the CHN fosters trust, promotes health equity, and contributes to CASL’s vision of an inclusive, empowered, and resilient community. 

About CASL: 

The Chinese American Service League is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering and serving the Chinese American population and the broader communities. Established with a rich history spanning several decades, CASL has consistently evolved to address the evolving needs of its constituents while fostering cultural pride, integration, and community development. 

For over 45 years, CASL's comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals with the vital support they need: providing an educational and cultural foundation for our children, ensuring our seniors live full and independent lives with dignity, enhancing education and training for tomorrow's workforce, putting immigrants on the pathway to citizenship, securing our community's housing and financial well-being, navigating healthcare systems and wellness resources, and providing equal access to justice. Since our founding, CASL has been rooted in the principles of equity and justice. That legacy continues to shape our efforts today as we strive to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at all levels of the organization.  

To hear about: 

CASL's history, watch here 

CASL's future, watch here 

About the South Side Health Equity Collaborative (SSHEC): 

In alignment to CASL's core values of Empowerment, Collaboration, and Transformation, SSHEC seeks to improve the health status of individuals and communities on the South Side of Chicago in a manner that is community-informed, data-driven, and deployed with a “racial equity first” disposition. It focuses innovative strategies on healthcare access and social conditions that are directly contributing to shortened life spans and poorer quality of life in highly vulnerable communities of color that have been historically disinvested and disproportionately harmed by structural racism. 

Your Impact: 

As a Community Health Navigator (CHN), you will: 

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive social determinants of health (SDoH) assessments to identify client needs and potential barriers to care. 
• Assess each client's emotional and physical state, adjusting communication style and energy level to ensure comfort and understanding, especially in sensitive environments like hospitals or during times of distress. 
• Connect clients with community-based resources and services provided by CASL and other community providers, ensuring a holistic approach to care. 
• Collaborate with clients to Develop care plan tailored to each client’s unique needs. 
• Monitor and ensure clients maintain their appointments for healthcare and social support services, providing follow-up as necessary to facilitate adherence. 

• Participate in community events, health fairs, and other outreach activities to promote the Community Health Navigation program and build relationships with local organizations. 
• Engage with community members to educate them on available health navigation services and resources, fostering trust and awareness. 
• Collaborate with community partners to identify opportunities for joint initiatives that support clients' health and well-being. 
• Conduct presentations on the Community Health Navigation program to facilitate strategic partnerships and enhance patient referral processes.  

• Uphold client, team member, and employer confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA regulations, maintaining the integrity of client information. 
• Maintain proactive relationships and continuous communication with community partner providers, staying informed of the services they offer. 
• Support the continued buildout of the CHN program by providing valuable input in the development and evaluation of program policies and procedures. 

• Enter client records and case notes into Salesforce in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner to support transparency, compliance, and data-informed decision-making. 
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate client and service records in accordance with CASL policies and program requirements, ensuring data quality standards are consistently met. 
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to outreach, referrals, and client engagement to help evaluate program impact and individual performance. 
• Participate in regular documentation reviews and meetings with the Associate Director to ensure consistency, identify trends, and support continuous quality improvement across the program. 

• Actively participate in team meetings, offering insights and feedback to improve program operations and outreach efforts. 
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify best practices and strategies for enhanced service delivery and client support. 

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.  

• Demonstrated experience working with communities on the South Side of Chicago or a strong understanding of its assets and barriers. 
• Strong rapport-building and customer service skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups and income levels. Demonstrated ability to communicate with empathy and cultural sensitivity. 
• Proficiency in English required. 
• Strong ability to thrive in an evolving and dynamic environment, effectively managing multiple priority tasks while exercising sound judgment in setting priorities and meeting deadlines. 
• Strong understanding of social determinants of health (SDoH) and their impact on individuals and communities, particularly in relation to healthcare access, economic stability, and overall well-being. 
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to build trust within diverse communities.     
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and find creative solutions to client challenges and service delivery obstacles. 
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft 365 (Outlook, SharePoint, Word, Excel), data entry and web navigation 

• Associate or bachelor's degree in social work, human or social services, nursing, public health, or a related field from an accredited college or university. 
• At least three years of experience in community health, healthcare and/or non-profit organizations working within Chicago’s South Side communities preferred. Lived experience may be considered in lieu of work experience. 
• Second language proficiency such as Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese). 
• Basic understanding of Salesforce or similar data management systems or a willingness and ability to learn. 

• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, with occasional lifting or moving of objects weighing up to 20 pounds. 
• Required to travel around the SSHEC service zip codes to local community outreach activities and meet clients, service providers, and team members in person, if requested.

• Work is performed during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with flexibility to work additional hours in the evenings or weekends, as necessary. 
• Work is performed in various settings including in-person healthcare settings, office, clients’ homes, community-based settings and outdoor environments. 
• Areas we will be supporting for local community outreach activities: 
• 60609: Bridgeport, Back of the Yards; 60615: Hyde Park, Kenwood; 60616: Chinatown, South Loop, Bridgeport; 60617: South Chicago, South Deering; 60619: Chatham, Greater Grand Crossing; 60620: Auburn Gresham, Gresham; 60621: Englewood; 60628: Roseland, Pullman 60629: Chicago Lawn, West Lawn; 60631: Norwood Park 60632: Brighton Park, Archer Heights; 60633: Burnham; 60636: West Englewood; 60637: Woodlawn, Hyde Park; 60638: Garfield Ridge; 60643: Beverly, Morgan Park; 60649: South Shore; 60652: Ashburn, Scottsdale; 60653: Bronzeville, Washington Park; 60655: Mount Greenwood, Beverly 

This position offers a salary range of $57,200 annually, reflective of experience and qualifications. 

Join CASL and unlock a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your loved ones. As a full-time employee, you'll enjoy a range of options tailored to your needs: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage; 401k, PTO, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA); Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Disability Insurance; Voluntary Worksite Benefits, Pet Insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Additionally, our holiday schedule includes New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Chinese New Year, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving, the Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day. 

Why Choose CASL: 

Inclusivity: Join an organization that values mutual respect and acceptance, fostering a culture of inclusivity. 

Empowerment: Support staff empowerment through skill development and growth opportunities. 

Collaboration: Be part of a workplace that thrives on collaboration and teamwork. 

Transformation: Envision and realize transformative changes in people, processes, and policies. 

Resiliency: Work with a dynamic workforce and model resiliency to achieve collective strengths. 

Join Us and Make a Difference: 

Join us at CASL, where together, we create a brighter future for our community. 

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! Each resume is reviewed personally by our dedicated team members, not AI. This thorough and thoughtful evaluation process may take a bit of time, so we kindly ask for your patience. Rest assured, we will get back to you as soon as we have an update on your application status. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to reviewing your application. 

At CASL, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive success. If you're excited about the opportunity but unsure if you meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to submit your application. Our company culture thrives on the unique talents and experiences that each individual brings to the table. We're looking for the right fit, and that goes beyond a checklist of qualifications. Join us in shaping a dynamic and inclusive team where your skills and contributions truly matter. 

CASL is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.