Health Services Navigator

Full-Time, Limited Term* Health Navigator (Trilingual English/ Spanish/ Mixtec)

The County of Santa Barbara Health department is currently accepting applications to fill (1) Full-Time, Limited Term* Health Navigator (Trilingual English/ Spanish/ Mixtec) vacancy. These positions can report from either Santa Maria or Santa Barbara but must be willing to commute countywide. The County classification title is Health Services Aide.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help** and CSR 1414*** vacancies in multiple locations. The Health Services Aide is also utilized by the Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Program within County.

*Limited Term: The duration of this appointment is limited to a period not to exceed three (3) years; but is subject to annual review by the Commission to ensure the temporary or limited term nature of such appointment remains appropriate based on business operational needs and/or resources.

**Extra-Help: This is a Civil Service Rules (CSR 905) Extra Help Appointment. An extra help appointment is defined as an appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies. These positions are not subject to the Civil Service Provisions.

***CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): This recruitment is to fill a position vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

Please select the location(s) you would like to be considered for current and future vacancies. If you qualify for this position, pass the required selection steps and are in the area of selection, then your name may be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) where you have expressed that you are willing to work.

Please note: Incumbents will be required to travel within the County and outside the County.

Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

1. Bilingual Proficiency: Fluent in both English/ Spanish or English/ Mixtec, with the ability to accurately translate complex circumstances and medical information.
2. Exceptional Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with diverse populations, both internally within the team and externally with clients and partners.
3. Strong Organizational Abilities: Proven capability to organize tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic work environment.
4. Effective Time Management: Ability to efficiently allocate time and resources to meet deadlines and ensure timely completion of tasks while maintaining quality standards.
5. Proficiency with Software Tools: Experience using Smartsheet and/or other spreadsheet software is preferred, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and platforms.

Examples of Duties:

1. Participates in outreach and engagement efforts to enroll clients in appropriate programs.
2. Assisting clients with care coordination needs, referral support, community resource connection, health care navigation, and tracking all referrals.
3. Assists clients in navigating the healthcare system, helping them to successfully participate in their medical and/or behavioral health care by identifying and overcoming barriers.
4. Interviews clients to collect medical history data and social determinants of health for review by healthcare professionals and care team members.
5. Completes duties in the office, through field-based outreach, and via meetings with service providers. Locations for service delivery may include the office, clinics, homeless shelters, homes, and on the street.
6. Engages with clients, both in-person and on the phone, in a manner that utilizes evidence-based approaches (such as Motivational Interviewing) to promote collaboration between the client and their care/service team, as well as to increase the client's sense of control over their whole health.
7. Ensures clients receive information that is culturally respectful, including using translation services when necessary.
8. Coordinates interdisciplinary team sessions with members from the clinical care teams and other service providers, such as housing.
9. Offers ongoing support, outreach, and engagement to connect clients with Santa Barbara County departments.
10. Collaborates with external partners to ensure comprehensive support for clients.
11. Utilizes a tailored approach to help clients navigate issues affecting their social determinants of health.
12. Assists in disseminating pertinent information through various communication channels.
13. Assists in cultivating and maintaining critical partnerships with departments and external stakeholders to enhance support services.
14. Supports the design, implementation, and evaluation of support services tailored to the needs of diverse community populations.
15. Under supervision, acts as a primary point of contact for clients, facilitating referrals to relevant departments.
16. Coordinates participant tracking to assess the effectiveness of programming in supporting clients.
17. Performs additional duties as assigned to support organizational goals.

Employment Standards:

• Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required abilities.

Desirable Qualification: Experience working in a health care or human services setting is highly desirable.

Ability to: understand the needs and problems facing culturally, economically, or socially disadvantaged persons; establish and maintain good relations with persons from a wide range of social and ethnic groups; learn the range of departmental services for the treatment of health, nutrition, or other related problems; communicate effectively orally and by writing simple narrative reports; maintain confidentiality of client information; understand and follow oral and written instructions; work cooperatively as part of a health services delivery team.

Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required at the time of appointment for positions in this job class.

Bilingual – Speaking Required: The ability to converse fluently in English and Spanish is required. Note: You must self-certify on your application that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications or removed from the employment list, in accordance to Civil Service Rules.