Utah Healthcare Corps

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Have you ever helped a family member or friend receive healthcare 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 Healthcare Corps (UHC) has increased access to primary healthcare services for Utahns by reducing economic, geographic, cultural, and language barriers.

The Utah Healthcare Corps, an AmeriCorps program of the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH), currently supports more than 20 members serving as Community Health Workers (CHWs) in over six 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.

Service Area
This program operates in Salt Lake County, Washington County, and Weber County.

Contact Information
Ashlynne Rasmussen, UHC Program Coordinator
[email protected]

>Visit the program's website

How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the application, or submit a resume and cover letter to the UHC Program Coordinator, Ashlynne Rasmussen at [email protected]. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.

The following requirements must be met to be considered for the program:

  • At least 18 years of age
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Pass the necessary program background checks
  • Legal Permanent Resident or citizen of the U.S.
  • Written and oral fluency in English; bi-lingual in Spanish, Arabic, and/or French desired
  • Basic computer skills
  • Ability to commit to approximately 33 hours per week for 52 weeks (one year)
  • Ability to attend a mandatory 3-5 day virtual orientation
  • Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with patients and program stakeholders
  • Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the target community
  • Good communication skills such as listening, speaking, and writing
  • Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to patients
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a group
  • Willingness to take initiative and be pro-active in daily work
  • Willingness to travel to community-based organizations as needed

Top reasons that members like serving with UHC:

  • Gain real world community health experience
  • Prepare for a career in healthcare and/or social services
  • Make a difference in your community by advocating for and serving the underserved
  • Work closely with a team of service-minded individuals
  • Earn an education award to support your academic goals
  • Coordinating Care. "An uninsured patient who lost her job due to COVID-19 needed help managing her chronic health conditions. She is dependent upon her son who has his own family that he is taking care of. She needed help accessing a primary care provider and dental services. We informed her about the volunteer care clinic that we have at Community Health Connect twice a week. She ended up coming in for care, got a few medications prescribed, and was provided with a GoodRx card to help lower the cost of those medications. We introduced her to our dental specialist for adults and connected her to our Medicaid specialist for enrollment. She is now taking an online dental education course and we are staying in touch to continue coordinating care with her team of providers." -Jeremy C., Utah Healthcare Corps Member
  • Breaking down barriers. "I had the opportunity to connect with a nice 87-year-old Spanish-speaking woman this month. She lives by herself and is very independent. She needed eye care but was faced with a couple barriers – she does not have transportation and does not speak any English. The eye clinic was at a walking distance from her house but did not have any Spanish-speaking staff. She needed transportation to reach a clinic with bilingual staff. I secured an appointment for her and taught her how to use Logisticare, a Medicaid transportation service. I connected her with Family Healthcare’s care coordinator for future assistance. She was able to get her eye examination and called to thank me for my help!" -Susana A., Utah Healthcare Corps Member
  • Collaboration and care. A client was referred to our Community Health Worker (CHW) program due to poor memory problems and chronic medical conditions. Her mental state had caused many problems, namely that she could not control her spending because she couldn't remember what she had spent. She had been in and out of homelessness and was without a social support system. She owns three dogs, which further exacerbated her financial struggles. Since the client’s referral, the CHW has extensively collaborated with her case manager, her doctor, and her therapist to help her engage in her medical care. The CHW has used motivational interviewing tactics to help the client see that budgeting can benefit her because she will be able to care for her dogs, which is her top priority. The CHW also connected her with community resources that periodically provide free dog food and supplies. The client will soon receive assistance from a payee, who will manage her finances. Over time, the client has learned to advocate for herself and has developed a more self-reliant approach to her health.

Meet the Program Director

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Cyndi O'Connor is the Utah Healthcare Corps (UHC) Program Director at the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH), and oversees its 20 members and host sites throughout Utah. Cyndi was born and raised in New Jersey, but relocated to Utah from the Washington D.C. area and joined AUCH and UHC in December 2017. Cyndi has several years of experience in federal and state program and project management, and has overseen and implemented local and international projects for several federal and local government agencies.

Cyndi has a BA and MA in International Politics and International Affairs, respectively, and specialized in the Middle East and North Africa region. Cyndi is passionate about community-based and culturally sensitive approaches to health education and promotion, and enjoys working with community stakeholders to serve Utah’s diverse population. Cyndi is also a certified health coach and fitness instructor, and enjoys bridging her interest in culture, health, and wellness with her skills in management at AUCH through the UHC Program. Her favorite thing about being an AmeriCorps Program Director is watching each members’ service year journey and the growth, confidence, and reflection it creates within each individual.