Patient Navigator, (Sheldon)

Patient Navigator

If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

This position is funded through special revenue.

Under general supervision, the Patient Navigator provides patient-centered navigation services to improve health outcomes and expand access to care across the continuum of services. Embedded within an HCPH health service location, this position helps undeserved individuals overcome barriers and connect to coordinated medical, behavioral, and supportive services. The Patient Navigator acts as a liaison between patients, providers, and community resources, ensuring service continuity, promoting informed decision-making, and supporting engagement in ongoing care.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Patient Navigator addresses both clinical and social needs, bridging communication between healthcare systems, re-engaging patients in care, and connecting them to specialty services, community resources, and education guided by the social determinants of health framework.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide navigation across the continuum of care including screening, diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up services based on individual patient needs, including re-engagement of patients who have fallen out of care.
• Support patient follow-through with care plans. Facilitate referrals and coordinate access to healthcare, community, and social services, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive and seamless support.
• Address barriers related to insurance, transportation, language, financial, cultural, or health literacy by linking patients to appropriate support services and serving as a patient advocate in navigating complex systems.
• Deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate health education, promote patient-led decision-making, and help patients understand care plans, diagnoses, and follow-up instructions.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of navigation activities in compliance with HCPH policies and reporting requirements.
• Participate in community engagement events and connect patients with external resources to improve health access and awareness.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary case discussions and build partnerships with providers, social workers, and external agencies to enhance patient-centered care coordination.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Public Health, Health Education, or related field
• Experience: At least one (1) year of experience in patient navigation, community health, case management, or similar setting. At least one (1) year of experience working with diverse populations, including low-income, undeserved, and culturally diverse communities.
• Licensure/Certifications: Valid Driver's License.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage community members, collaborate with community partners, and communicate complex information in a manner easily understood by patients. Ability to effectively interpret needs and act as an advocate for client population. Knowledge of available patient support programs, agencies, and services. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment. Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information. Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Core Competencies: Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes. Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes. Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities. Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being. Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences:

• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience: Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems.

General Information:

• Position Type and Typical Hours of Work: This is a full-time position - funded through special revenue. 40 hours per week. May be required to work outside of normal business hours (evenings and weekends) and in various settings, including participants' homes, community outreach locations, and office environments. Travel within Harris County jurisdiction will be required for outreach efforts, meeting with participants, and training.
• Work Environment: This job operates in both field and community clinic setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Physical Demands: Frequently required to sit or stand, bend, and use manual dexterity. May occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.
• Work Location: Harris County Public Health: Community Health & Wellness - Community Health & Wellness - Sheldon Hub: 8540 C.E. King Parkway, Houston, TX 77044

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.