Clinical Health Navigator I/II

Job Description

Job Description

Who we are : La Clinica de La Raza is a non-profit, community-based health center established in 1971 to address health barriers and create better lives for the underserved. We have proudly grown into 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County. To learn more about our history, click here: Our History - La Clinica or visit our website at   

Summary:

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Clinical Health Navigator to join our HIV services team. In this critical role, the Clinical Health Navigator will be responsible for a broad range of activities related to both HIV prevention, and HIV medical care.  Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting outreach, performing HIV testing, performing STI testing, facilitating linkage to long-term preventive care, and connecting newly diagnosed or out-of-care individuals living with HIV to appropriate medical services.  The Clinical Health Navigator will also ensure sustained access to resources that promote retention in care.  Working closely with the medical team, the Clinical Health Navigator will coordinate services for patients, including scheduling appointment, coordination of STI treatment, arranging laboratory services, charting, managing pharmacy needs, among other services, with ongoing follow-up to prevent gaps in care.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to patient care, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.  Additionally, the candidate should possess excellent charting skills and the capability to work seamlessly with medical providers.  If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by HIV and are eager to assist individuals in navigating their healthcare journey, we encourage you to apply. 

Major Areas of Responsibility, include but are not limited to:

• Comply with all ethical and professional standards set by La Clinica, including its policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations in all practices concerning patient information.

HIV Care:

• Conducts outreach and HIV testing to identify new HIV patients.
• Serves as the primary contact for newly diagnosed and out-of-care HIV positive patients.
• Navigates newly diagnosed and out of care patients into HIV medical care services, including registration, medical appointment, labs, pharmacy, and referrals.
• Provides ongoing support to ensure retention in HIV medical care.
• Follows up with patients to prevent lapses in care and assist with appointment reminders.
• Conducts initial psychosocial assessments for HIV-positive patients entering care.
• Provides clinical navigation support for enrollment (if non-La Clinica patients), insurance accessibility/enrollment, pharmacy services, initial medical appointment, lab services, and other needed resources and services.
• Delivers comprehensive education on HIV, including adherence, resistance, viral load, and Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U).
• Assess patients’ needs for gender-affirming care and provide appropriate referrals.
• Collects and coordinate laboratory specimens, including HIV/STI testing, ensuring results are obtained, reviewed, and communicated with the medical team.
• Coordinates STI test collection, processing, and result delivery.
• Supports the medical team by scheduling follow-up appointments and assisting patients who test positive or reactive for STIs.
• Maintains accurate documentation in EPIC, including charting, scheduling, reviewing test results, and updating care plans.

STI and HIV Prevention:

• Conducts community outreach and facilitates HIV/STI testing through specimen collection.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for community members seeking or referred for HIV/STI services.
• Provides comprehensive education on HIV and STI prevention, including PrEP and PEP options.
• Assist community members in accessing long-term HIV or PrEP care.
• Identifies patients requiring gender-affirming care and provides appropriate referrals and support.
• Collaborates with patients to develop individualized care plans and connect them with needed services.
• Assess immediate needs and barriers for new and ongoing patients, ensuring continuity of care.
• Conducts regular follow-ups with PrEP patients to monitor adherence, provide appointment reminders, and reinforce the importance of routine HIV/STI testing every 2-3 months, based on patient needs.
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments with PrEP healthcare providers.

PrEP/PEP Responsibilities:

• Engage in outreach efforts to identify and connect with potential PrEP/PEP candidates, including men who have sex with men (MSM), individuals of transgender experience, and others at increased risk for HIV, following CDC guidelines.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all patients receiving biomedical prevention services at La Clinica.
• Facilitate linkage to PrEP/PEP services and support timely initiation of care.
• Assess patients’ immediate needs and address barriers to adherence and retention in care.
• Provide ongoing follow-up with PrEP/PEP patients to monitor medication adherence, medical appointments, and HIS/STI testing as part of comprehensive preventive care.
• Evaluate patient needs for gender-affirming care and provide appropriate referrals

Minimum Job Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of HIV/STI, treatment protocols, and social determinants of health.
• Familiarity with healthcare systems, insurance, and referral processes.
• Knowledgeable with various electronic systems and platforms.
• HIV Testing procedures.
• Clinical Patient Navigation.
• LGBTQI+
• Familiar with pronouns and SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity).
• Clinical documentation practices.
• Conducting psychosocial assessment.
• Gender-affirming care knowledge.

Skills

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Excellent customer service.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Effective communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Ability

• Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to multitask and manage a dynamic workload.
• Ability to follow directions and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working in medical settings and outreach environments.
• Ability to understand verbal and written language in English and specified language; specific language(s) to be determined based on location and organizational needs.

Education and Experience:

Clinical Health Navigator I:

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant fields is highly preferred.
• Experience in HIV-related work and/or experience in a healthcare setting is highly preferred.

Clinical Health Navigator II:

• Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant field is highly desired.
• Experience in HIV-related work and/or experience in a healthcare setting is highly desired.

The Bachelor’s degree may be substituted with:

• High School Diploma or GED, and 6 years of relevant work experience.

OR

• Associates Degree, and 4 years of relevant work experience.

Certifications:

Required:

• Must hold a current BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate. You will have 30-day grace period to obtain your certificate from the date of hire.
• HCC Certification (HIV Care positions only). Must be obtained within 60 days of hire (training provided).
• ADAP Enrollment Certification (HIV Care positions only). Must be obtained within 60 days of hire (training provided).
• PrEP Navigation Certification (PrEP Navigators). Must be obtained within 60 days of hire (training provided).
• HIV/HCV Certification (California State). Must be obtained within 60 days of onboarding (training provided).

Highly Preferred:

• Community Health Worker Certification (CHW).

Physical Requirements:

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods; may also include walking for prolonged periods of time.                                                                  
• Bending/lifting, pushing/pulling, adjusting, or moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds in all directions and occasionally more.
• Repeating motions that may include the neck, wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Upper extremity demands: Reaching above shoulder and/or below waist.