Patient Navigator

Patient Navigator

The Patient Navigator supports patients along with their health needs by assisting in navigating and accessing community resources, social service, and medical systems. Serves as a liaison between Universal Community Health Center (UCHC) and the community to facilitate access to services through assessments, care coordination, and other case management activities. Responsibilities include assessments, care coordination, case management support, collaboration with the Quality Assurance Specialist, and oversight of the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program.

General Accountabilities

• Collaborate with health education participants onsite and in the community.
• Provide culturally sensitive health education and support diverse populations.
• Build and maintain relationships with community members and stakeholders.
• Coordinate multiple priorities and manage timeliness effectively.
• Coordinate activities related to patient centered care that involves identifying patient populations and providing one-on-one support to help them navigate through the healthcare system.
• Identify current and new patient populations through risk stratification lists.
• Assess social determinants of health needs in patients/participants and documents appropriately.
• Determine social determinants of health concerns/gaps, develop plans to address moderate social and health disparities.
• Occasionally visit patients and their residence, accompany appointments and assist with completing forms to access needed services.
• Conduct follow-ups with patients and families to reduce barriers in accessing resources.
• Collaborate with other staff members, including medical providers, social workers, and case managers.
• Establish professional relationships and partner with community stakeholders, health plans, and providers by participating in local community engagement activities.
• Identify gaps in community resources and support the implementation of new solutions and services.
• Disseminate community resource updates to staff and community stakeholders.
• Work independently to fulfill general requests and work with internal teams to solve complex issues.
• Provide overall programmatic support, including meeting coordination, data collection and analysis.
• Provide patient education and assists with the delivery of melanoma cancer prevention.
• Assist to build understanding of services available to support healthier decisions and lifestyle choices.
• Deliver health information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts.
• Perform other tasks as required by management.

Requirements

Job Qualifications

• High school diploma required. Bachelor's degree in related fields preferred.
• One (1) year of experience in community-level health education or related fields.
• Valid driver's license and insurance coverage as this position requires travel to patient homes and escort patients to medical appointments.
• Two (2) years of experience working with vulnerable populations, homeless individuals/families, and those suffering from mental health disorders including substance use disorder.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Problem solving skills.
• Active listening.
• Social perceptiveness.
• Critical thinking.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office and Google Suite programs.
• Knack for implementation of corrective action programs.
• Knowledge of QA terms, tools, and methodologies.
• Experience in eCW pressed, but not required.

Skills: Language

• Bilingual-English/Spanish is required.

Physical Requirement

• Physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 25 pound limit, and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved. The ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time is required.
• Flexibility to work in multiple locations throughout the week.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to travel to all UCHC facilities as needed.
• Occasionally required to sit and walk.
• Finger dexterity required.
• Hand coordination required.
• Specific vision abilities required for this job include: close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust or focus.

Work Environment

• Exposure to adverse conditions.
• Exposure to extreme heat.
• Exposure to extreme cold.
• Exposure to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts.
• Exposure to high, precarious places.
• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Exposure to outside weather conditions.
• Possible risk of electrical shock.
• Exposure to explosives.
• Possible risk of radiation and vibration.
• Protective clothing or equipment is required including: gloves, helmets, steel-toed boots, protective eyewear.
• The noise level in the work environment usually is high.

Universal Community Health Center