Float Peer Navigator, Street Medicine (San Diego, Ca)

At Healthcare in Action, we serve patients experiencing homelessness through an innovative “street medicine” approach by contracting with Medicare and Medicaid health plans as well as hospitals and health systems.

Street medicine entails using a medically equipped van to deliver medical care directly to people experiencing homelessness in locations such as parking lots, encampments, and parks.

The Float Peer Navigator supports members who are experiencing/ are at risk of experiencing homeless with managing their own health in San Diego, CA areas. Assist in motivating behavioral changes in patients to improve health outcomes through education, peer support, housing & resource navigation, and the relaying of shared experiences. The San Diego Float Peer Navigator serves as a flexible regional resource supporting San Diego Healthcare in Action teams. The primary responsibility of this role is to provide continuity of care and caseload coverage during Peer Navigator leaves of absence, extended vacancies, and other staffing gaps. When coverage support is not needed, the Float Peer Navigator maintains an assigned member panel and performs all core Peer Navigator responsibilities. The Float Peer Navigator may also provide additional operational and member support based on team needs, including assisting with the onboarding and engagement of new members and supporting Medi-Cal eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and verification activities within the scope of the Peer Navigator role.

*** This is a full-time, Monday-Friday 8-5 position

Responsibilities include:

• Build rapport with members by using trauma-informed engagement, peer support, and relevant lived or professional experience to increase the likelihood of positive behavior change.
• Coach members to create and implement strategies that reduce risks associated with identified health conditions, behavioral health needs, substance use, housing instability, and other barriers to care.
• Connect members to appropriate medical, behavioral health, housing, benefits, local, county, state, and community-based services. Follow up with members and serve as a member advocate.
• Accompany members to medical, behavioral health, housing, and social service appointments when support is needed outside of the street medicine unit.
• Introduce systems and practical strategies that promote self-management, self-efficacy, appointment adherence, medication access, benefits navigation, and connection to ongoing care.
• Adhere to the guidelines, standards, and operational requirements outlined in applicable Street Medicine Operations Manuals and health plan requirements.
• Work collaboratively with members to develop individualized housing plans and care management plans and actively support members in progressing toward and completing their identified goals.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation across all required systems. In addition to Epic, this includes housing-related service platforms such as the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and applicable health plan care management, tracking, and member engagement systems.
• Schedule encounters based on the member acuity level and program requirements using the Healthcare in Action electronic health record system and other approved scheduling or tracking tools.
• Work under the direction of the Care Management Supervisor and in collaboration with clinicians, Community Support Partners, behavioral health staff, and other care team members to ensure appropriate escalation, care coordination, and follow-through.
• When not actively covering an absent Peer Navigator, maintain an assigned member panel and meet established productivity, documentation, patient engagement, and compliance expectations.
• Travel between Hemet and South County Riverside service areas as directed by leadership.
• Adapt to varying team workflows, field schedules, and member panel needs.
• Assist with onboarding and training newly hired Peer Navigators, including orientation to team workflows, documentation expectations, field operations, and member engagement processes as directed.
• Support the transfer and assignment of authorized members to new Peer Navigators and assist new Peer Navigators with outreach, engagement, and onboarding of newly assigned members to promote timely establishment of care and continuity of services.
• Provide coverage during Peer Navigator (PN across Hemet and South County Riverside service areas leave by ensuring continuity of patient support, completion of billable documentation, coordination and attendance of medical, housing, and other appointments, and ongoing support for both patients and Clinical staff in collaboration with the Supervisor and Lead PN.
• Coordinate coverage across multiple regions when two or more PNs are out by working with each region’s Supervisor and Lead PN to identify priorities, distribute support based on team and patient needs, and maintain continuity of care and services.
• Provide cross-team support when leave coverage is not needed by assisting PNs and Clinical teams with administrative needs, training, ECM, CSS, Prop 47, patient care workflows, documentation and metrics improvement, PN-Clinical coordination, and specialty appointment preparation and follow-through to promote successful patient outcomes.
• Actively support the achievement of HIA’s Vision and Goals and particularly housing placement for unsheltered members.
• We seek Rebels who are curious about AI.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and experience:

• G.E.D./High School, required plus 3+ years of work experience as defined below.
• Associate's degree preferred plus 2 years of work experience as defined below.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred plus 1-2 years of work experience as defined below.
• Work Experience to include direct work experience, lived experience, training or volunteer work with patients experiencing homelessness, as well as those with active mental health and substance use conditions.
• Other demonstrated relevant experience in similar community settings, for example, working with other disadvantaged groups, and/or outreach will be considered.
• A comparable combination of education/experience and/or training will be considered equivalent to the education listed above.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, outdoors environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to organize effectively.
• Ability to prioritize multiple and competing tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including articulating one’s own relevant personal experiences.
• Excellent oral communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills.
• Maintenance of reliable transportation
• Proficiency in operating a computer, including logging into and maneuvering around multiple systems such as online timesheets (time and attendance) and call center software.
• HMIS/ Coordinated Entry System, preferred.
• Travel 50% or more- Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, reliable transportation, and clean driving record.

Tuberculosis Screening Policy

To ensure the health and safety of our members, if you are selected for this position, your job offer with Healthcare in Action will be contingent on providing proof of Tuberculosis screening upon hire or providing proof of a negative screening within the last year. If you have a disability/medical reason or sincerely held religious belief that prevents you to provide information required in this policy, HIA will initiate and engage in the interactive process to evaluate what, if any, reasonable accommodations may be available.

What's in it for you?

• Base salary range: $31.25 to $33.00 per hour
• An annual employee bonus program
• Medical, Dental, Vision coverage
• Generous paid-time-off (PTO)
• 11 paid holidays per year, plus 1 additional floating holiday
• Excellent 401(k) Retirement Saving Plan with employer match.
• Robust employee recognition program
• Wellness program
• Tuition reimbursement
• An opportunity to become part of a team that makes a difference to our members and our community every day!

At Healthcare in Action, we believe that it is our business to improve the state of our world. Each of us has a responsibility to drive Equality in our communities and workplaces. We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects our community through inclusive programs and initiatives such as equal pay, employee resource groups, inclusive benefits, and more.

Healthcare in Action is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action workplace. Individuals seeking employee will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by law. A background check is required.

Healthcare in Action was established in 2021 as a 501 (c)3 organization and associated medical group. Utilizing mobile clinics staffed by healthcare professionals, community health workers, and social workers, our teams travel directly to unhoused individuals living in communities across the geographies we serve, providing services where they reside – including tents, cars, shelters, and temporary housing. In meeting patients where they are and supporting their goals, HIA team members build trust – a critical component that can lead to meaningful and positive changes in health and housing. Our mission is to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness through quality holistic care. It is our vision that all people experiencing homelessness have access to quality healthcare that addresses their mental, social and physical health needs.