Patient Navigator

For 40 years, Haitian Centers Council (HCC) has served as a trusted community resource for underserved and vulnerable populations, including immigrants, seniors, and low-income individuals. HCC provides free educational programs, healthcare linkages, prevention services, and social support to the Caribbean community regardless of economic status. Guided by the needs and voices of those it serves, HCC has spent four decades fostering a stronger, more resilient community by promoting equity, addressing health and racial disparities, and collaborating with community partners. At its core, HCC believes that wellness begins with self-care and the creation of safe, inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Patient Navigator provides support, advocacy, and care coordination for individuals accessing mental health and supportive counseling services, with a specialized focus on People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The Patient Navigator works closely with clinical and support staff to ensure clients receive comprehensive care, including mental health services, substance use support, housing assistance, and linkage to medical care and social service providers. This role is critical in reducing barriers to care, improving engagement in services, and supporting clients in navigating complex healthcare and social service systems. The Patient Navigator provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and person-centered support to empower clients and enhance their overall well-being.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Client Engagement & Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients seeking mental health and supportive counseling services.
• Conduct client intakes, needs assessments, and care plans.
• Develop and maintain up-to-date risks assessment, linkage to care, treatment adherence assessments.
• Provide education, emotional support, and advocacy to individuals with HIV/AIDS navigating behavioral health care.
• Support clients in adhering to their treatment plans and medical care.
• Schedule clients for office/home visits to conduct assessments, individual counseling, service plan updates, wellness checks, and/or reassessments.
• Provide ongoing support to encourage retention of services.
• Conduct re-engagement activities via a series of phone calls, written correspondences, and/or in person visits to the client’s place of residence.
• Create a safe and professional and welcoming environment for clients of the priority population
• Provides home, hospital, or community site visits and escorts patients to medical and non-medical appointments, as indicated and as approved by the Clinic Supervisor and/or Clinic Director.

2. Care Coordination & Service Linkage

• Reviews referrals and assesses patients for individual services.
• Identify supportive services that will benefit the health and well-being of the client and effectively refer them to necessary services.
• Assist clients in accessing mental health services, primary care, substance use treatment, housing support, and other community resources.
• Develop strong partnerships with healthcare providers, service providers, and community-based organizations.
• Support appointments adherence through accompaniment, referring, scheduling and re-scheduling assistance.
• Identify supportive services that will benefit the health and well-being of the client and effectively refer them to necessary services.
• Develops, implements, and reassesses care plans to address barriers to expected health outcomes and self-management and to address patient needs and assure continuity of care.
• Collaborate with and consult with other team members in identifying services gaps and needs.
• Attend community events and health fairs to build community partnerships.
• Facilitate warm hand-offs and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.

3. Health Promotion & Client Education

• Provide HIV/AIDS education and promote engagement in treatment and adherence strategies.
• Educate clients on mental health wellness, harm reduction, and self-care techniques.
• Facilitate individual counseling, support groups and workshops on behavioral health and wellness topics.
• Educate clients on life skills such as budgeting, food shopping, health living, physical and mental health well-being.

4. Crisis Intervention & Advocacy

• Identify and address barriers to care such as stigma, homelessness, food insecurity, or lack of insurance.
• Assist clients in navigating Medicaid, ADAP, HOPWA, Other Ryan White programs, and other assistance programs.
• Support clients experiencing crises by connecting them to appropriate mental health or emergency services.
• Support clients experiencing crises by connecting them to appropriate mental health or emergency services.
• Advocate for clients in healthcare settings and with social service agencies.

5. Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely records in Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other required databases in accordance with agency protocols and standards.
• Document each encounter with each client via accurate progress notes.
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality laws (HIPAA) and funder requirements.
• Attend and participate in Quality Improvement and Performance Improvement teams and tasks.
• Participate in program meetings, trainings, and client case conferences.
• Ensure adherence to client confidentiality procedures as governed by HIPAA and HCC confidentiality policies and procedures.
• Attends required meetings, conferences, supervision, trainings, and professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Associate degree with at least 2 years of experience in health navigation, case management, peer advocacy, or HIV/AIDS services considered.
• Experience working with People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals with mental health/substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing preferred.
• Cultural competency in working with diverse populations, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities.
• Strong interpersonal and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Organizational and problem-solving abilities to assist clients with complex needs.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, teamwork skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding work environment.
• Knowledge of community resources as pertinent to social determinants of health (e.g. housing, food access, transportation, etc.)
• Effective client engagement and needs assessment skills.
• Experience on NYC health and human services systems, processes, and services.
• Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Language Proficiency (English/ Haitian Creole, French and/or Spanish,) preferred.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Passion for HCC’s mission.