Community Resource Specialist

Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children’s Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.

Children’s Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City – a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children’s health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.

The ICS - Community Resource Specialist will work in collaboration with the care teams to support the efforts to perform population health initiatives. Responsibilities include sharing of pertinent patient information to the team, performing outreach and education to patients and families, assisting with tasks, and helping to identify opportunities to enhance care coordination for the population. This position works closely with all areas of the Care Integration department and its stakeholders, including providers, patients and families, and other health care professionals.

The ideal candidate for the Home Visiting Team Community Resource Specialist role is a highly organized, dependable, and adaptable professional who is comfortable completing most of their work in the community. The primary responsibility of this position is to conduct scheduled community visits, with approximately 60–75% of the workweek spent in the field supporting children and families involved in foster care. This individual can work independently, respond calmly when plans or circumstances change unexpectedly, and represent the team with professionalism, kindness, integrity, and respect.

The ideal candidate is:

• Self-directed and able to manage a field-based schedule, complete community visits, and follow established processes with limited supervision
• A strong verbal and written communicator who provides clear, timely updates to families, community partners, and the home office clinical team
• Adaptable and able to use sound judgment when schedules, family needs, or visit circumstances change unexpectedly
• Comfortable and proficient with technology, including completing accurate, timely documentation while working in the field, including respectfully assertive in identifying/managing safety risks.
• Proactive in problem solving, resource coordination, and escalating concerns appropriately, including processing with teammates when confronted with complex needs/ situations.
• Experienced in working with health care teams, foster care systems, or vulnerable populations. Including ability to navigate environmental factors (e.g. pets, varied home/community settings, cultural differences, etc.)
• Able to build trust, maintain professional boundaries, and form positive working relationships with children, families, caregivers, providers, and ICS foster care team partners.
• Strong emphasis on warm and patient interaction with children and families especially when being invited into their homes.

At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.

Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

Because this role is primarily completed away from the home office, consistent communication and intentional teamwork are essential. The CRS must keep the home office clinical team informed of visit outcomes, changing needs, barriers, safety concerns, and required follow-up. They will partner closely and seamlessly with their assigned clinical counterpart to coordinate services, manage the needs of the foster care population, and ensure responsibilities do not fall through gaps. The strongest candidate will be reliable, responsive, comfortable asking for support when needed, and committed to accurate documentation and timely follow-through across settings.

• →This position will have daily travel within the following KS counties: Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Douglas, Johnson, Franklin, and Miami.
• →Supports population health initiatives of assigned care team(s).
• →Supports functions of the care team required to manage the assigned population.
• →Process inpatient and outpatient prior authorization requests.

• Master's Degree and 1-2 years experience Demonstrates flexibility in working with various team members and groups; excellent communication even during stressful interactions. or
• Bachelor's Degree and 3-5 years experience Demonstrates flexibility in working with various team members and groups; excellent communication even during stressful interactions. or
• HS diploma or equivalent and 5-7 years experience Demonstrates flexibility in working with various team members and groups; excellent communication even during stressful interactions.
• Personal Vehicle Required Upon Hire

Our pay ranges are market competitive. The pay range for this job begins at $21.72/hr, but your offer will be determined based on your education and experience.

Children’s Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation are all factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children’s Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.

CM is committed to creating a workforce that supports the diverse backgrounds of our patients and families. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team, so we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger and our patient care more compassionate.

If you share our values and our enthusiasm for service, you will find a home at CM. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring, including education, ideas, culture, and beliefs.