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Community Health Worker I

Northwestern Medicine · Chicago, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the community you know best and what gets in the way of people there getting health care.

What they are checking: Whether they have a real, lived understanding of the community, which the role is built on.

How do you build trust over the phone with someone who doesn't trust the health system?

What they are checking: Whether they can make a real connection without being face to face, which is much of the role.

Tell me about a time you helped someone reach a goal that seemed out of reach.

What they are checking: Whether they build people's own ability to manage rather than doing everything for them.

How do you handle it when you can't solve a patient's problem?

What they are checking: Whether they handle the limits of the job honestly without burning out or giving up.

What does cultural competence look like in your everyday work?

What they are checking: Whether they can give concrete examples of adapting to language, culture, and beliefs.

What would you do

You call a patient to follow up and they tell you they're about to be evicted and missed their last two appointments. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they address the urgent social need first and know which resources to connect them to.

A patient asks you for medical advice about their diabetes medication. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they stay within their role and connect the patient to a nurse or provider.

A patient shares something during a call that makes you worried about their safety. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize when to escalate and know their reporting duties.

About the work

What resources in Chicago would you reach for to help someone with food insecurity or transportation to appointments?

What they are checking: Whether they know practical local resources rather than speaking only in general terms.

How do you keep track of many patients and make sure no one falls through the cracks?

What they are checking: Whether they organize caseloads and document well enough to close gaps in care.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Community Health Worker I reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The NMHC Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline health professional who is a trusted member or has a very close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as bridge between health system, social services, and the community. The CHW facilitates access to services and improves the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy. The CHW reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Responsibilities: • Act as liaison between health system, social services and the community. • Provides telephonic support to patients to assist them in achieving social stability and close caps in care. • Supports individuals, families, and communities to strengthen their access to resources related to NM’s social drivers of health screening. • Facilitates patient and family education which promotes social wellness and increases knowledge of the health care system. • Collaborates with the Population Health team, Primary Care, Community Affairs and FQHCs as appropriate to provide comprehensive patient support. • Complete social drivers of health screenings and provide appropriate resources. • Follows regulatory reporting requirements • Documents appropriate data in the electronic medical record to track patient needs and intervention. • Utilizes motivational interviewing and conflict resolution skills as necessary to ensure timely resolution of issues and system problems. • Enhance professional growth and development through participation in appropriate educational activities, volunteering events, and community work. Required: • GED or High school diploma • Minimum two years of customer service experience in a professional office environment. Preferred: • Community Health Worker Certificate or certificate in progress • Community outreach and education experience. • Experience in patient tracking/contact tracing. • Volunteer Experience Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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