Care Navigator; Chicago, IL

Job Summary

The role of Care Navigator-Community is essential in supporting our goal to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions by visiting admitted members in person, addressing social determinants of health (SDoH), and ensuring seamless transitions of care. The Care Navigator is assigned to acute and post-acute facilities in the community and works with the team to build trust with patients and connect them to Absolute Care’s comprehensive services and interventions.

• Engage in person with admitted members in hospitals and healthcare facilities to build lasting rapport and trust.
• Conduct comprehensive screenings for social determinants of health and identify gaps in care.
• Complete delegated tasks and coordinate resources to address identified needs.
• Schedule and coordinate follow-up appointments with our primary care physician, community-based nurse practitioner, or member’s own primary care provider post-discharge.
• Serve as a liaison between the members, healthcare providers/facilities, and Absolute Care services.
• Document all interactions and tasks accurately and timely in our care management system.
• Collaborate with Absolute Care’s interdisciplinary teams to support holistic, integrated, patient-centered care.
• Maintain mobility and flexibility to work independently across multiple healthcare sites.
• Meet established Key Performance Indicators.
• The Care Navigator’s facility assignment may change and/or duties may be modified based on business needs.

• A minimum of 80% of this role’s time is spent onsite in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and/or residential treatment facilities to engage members and build relationships with facility discharge planners and case management staff.
• High School diploma or equivalent
• CNA, Certified MA, LPN or CHW required
• CPR/BLS certification required.
• 3+ years of experience in serving the needs of complex populations, in a patient facing healthcare environment. Preference given to qualified candidates with hospital experience and/or care coordination roles.
• Experience working in patient-facing roles in a SNF, hospital or physician office is required.
• Ability to complete screenings and delegated tasks as well as escalate findings to the clinical team where appropriate.
• Experience with complex government-sponsored populations preferred, e.g., Medicaid, Medicare beneficiaries.
• Ability to take a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving to aid patients in overcoming barriers to care transitions.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and electronic medical record documentation required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to interact with members, families, community stakeholders, and interdisciplinary team required.
• Ability to work independently.
• Active unencumbered driver’s license, with automobile insurance, reliable transportation, and ability to work in office and in the community.
• Second language ability is desirable relevant to local population, geography, resources.

This job operates in the community, hospitals, healthcare facilities and within a professional office environment. This role requires reliable transportation to commute back and forth between inpatient facilities and office; and routinely uses general office equipment.

• Ability to communicate clearly and exchange accurate information consistently.
• Ability to remain stationary for long periods of time.
• Repetitious movements.
• Constantly operates computer, keyboard, copy and fax machine, phone, and other general office equipment.

• Ability to occasionally move objects up to 20 lbs.

None.