Utah Healthcare Corps

Engaging Patients to Achieve Better Health care Outcomes
Payers, provider organizations, and care teams are implementing new models that extend the clinical team beyond the clinic’s walls to bridge prevention-focused health care services with resources to address non-clinical risk factors—social determinants of health (SDOH)—to meaningfully engage patients in achieving better health outcomes. Community health workers (CHWs)—trained laypeople who share socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicity, language, and life experiences with clients—can effectively bridge prevention-focused health care services with access to needed resources—to meaningfully engage patients in achieving better health outcomes. In partnership with Intermountain Healthcare, AUCH piloted a project using eight CHWs across five clinical sites in Salt Lake County to address chronic conditions and SDOH.

Moving Forward
AUCH is expanding its CHW pilot project by training 20 AmeriCorps Members to serve as entry-level CHWs to address substance use disorders, chronic conditions, and SDOH for high-risk populations in Salt Lake, Weber, Washington, Davis, and Utah counties. The project implements proven, evidence-based interventions focused on motivational interviewing, health coaching, health education, and translation services to bridge prevention-focused health care services with access to needed resources to meaningfully engage patients in achieving better health outcomes. 

Learn More!

Have you ever helped a family member or friend receive health care services? Do your neighbors or friends come to you for help? Are there things harming your community you feel passionate about changing? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," this might be the service opportunity for you. Since 1995, the Utah Health care Corps has increased access to primary health care services for Utahns by reducing economic, geographic, cultural, and language barriers.

The Utah Health care Corps (UHC), an AmeriCorps program of AUCH, currently supports more than 20 members serving in over 10 sites throughout the state of Utah. UHC CHWs make a difference in the community by providing vital health education and connections to health and social resources to improve patient lives.

AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at 21,600 unique sites including nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.4 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing more than 2.3 million volunteers for the organizations they serve.

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov.

Service Schedule: UHC CHWs are expected to serve at least 1700 hours over 48 weeks (11 months). This includes participating in direct service, additional activities, events, service projects, and training as provided or mandated by the program. Exact service schedule will be determined in coordination with supervisors but will take place during normal business hours.

The Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH) reaffirms its commitment to equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran. AUCH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact AUCH.

Want to Join?

Applications for the UHC program are accepted year-round and start dates for UHC members vary.  

How to Apply: Interested candidates should complete the application located here or submit a resume and cover letter to AmeriCorps Program Director, Ashlynne Rasmussen at arasmussen@auch.org. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered