Social Care Navigator

Title: Social Care Navigator


Unit: Care Management Unit


Reports to: SCN Supervisor


Status: Full-Time, Regular, Non-exempt


Salary Range: $27.48 to $30.22 Per Hour (Approximately $50,000 to $55,000 Annually)

Location: Long Island City


Days/Hours: Monday - Friday, generally 9 AM - 5 PM


This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation's preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.


Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.


Position Summary:

The Social Care Navigator serves as an entry point for the delivery of HRSN services to The Fortune Society clients, engaging Medicaid participants to identify health-related social needs and connect them with appropriate community-based care. This position is responsible for screening individuals, assessing NYS Medicaid eligibility for HRSN, and enhanced-care services. The Navigator guides participants through the process of accessing support resources.


Core Competencies

Mission and Fit:


Embodies Fortune's mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune's core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.


Engagement & Productivity:


This person shall demonstrate an ability to engage clients in treatment and encourage them to take ownership of their medical needs and adhere to appointments. The Navigator will ensure that all billable core services are in line with WholeYouNYC policies and at or above Fortune's standard of excellence.


Time Management & Personal Organization:

This person will demonstrate excellent time management skills including making, keeping and/or rescheduling appointments on their own personal calendar as well as navigation support appointments for clients on their caseload. The successful candidate will be excellent at maintaining personal organization in pursuing numerous tasks in parallel, managing his/her/their time to maximize efficiency, and will be good at completing paperwork accurately and in a timely manner. All of this requires good computer navigation skills as well as effective typing speed.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct outreach to NYS Medicaid NYS Medicaid participants to identify unmet social needs;
  Provide education on benefits and community supports available under the NYS Medicaid program;

• Screen individuals for health-related social needs using standardized tools;

• Assess eligibility for enhanced care services and community-based programs;

• Develop care management plans as applicable;

• Provide navigation support to connect individuals with appropriate services;

• Collaborate with care teams and community partners to ensure coordinated support;

• Document interactions, referrals, and follow-ups accurately in case management platform;

• Maintain HIPPA, 42CFR-part 2 confidentiality standards, and act with cultural sensitivity and empathy;

• Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with the Center;

• Adhere to agency, NYS Medicaid, and program-specific policies and procedures;

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and other pertinent events as recommended by supervisors;

• Perform any other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree is strongly desired, preferably with coursework in community health or similar. Individuals with an Associate's degree (Health/Human Services) or High School Diploma/GED, plus significant experience in care navigation / coordination / intake capacity (specifically within the human services sector) will be considered;

• Minimum of 2 years experience in a similar role required;

• Bilingual or multilingual a plus;

• Computer skills and ability to navigate analytic technology solutions for documentation, tracking, and review of data;

• Strong leadership and management skills including the ability to set team priorities, identify and resolve issues constructively, assess staff performance, provide career mentoring and coaching;

• High degree of self-organization and ability to work independently;

• Attention to detail with the ability to analyze data and make informed decisions;

• Excellent communication (listening, written, oral) skills and ability to communicate effectively in-person, via email and/or phone with clients and network partners;

• Comfortability presenting to various audiences (e.g., community-based organizations, healthcare providers, community members) and succinctly communicate key messages;

• Knowledge and experience working with vulnerable populations; possess cultural competency skills;

• Enthusiasm for assisting New Yorkers from various backgrounds;

• Knowledge of motivational interviewing and/or other coaching techniques preferred.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.


The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.