Patient Navigator

Position: Patient Navigator (59780)
Salary Range 46,056 - 52,117

Summary of Position:

The Patient Navigator works in collaboration with the Integrated Health Care team to address identified social determinants of health issues with the goal of improving access to care and patient outcomes. The Patient Navigator works in collaboration with the patient to address issues of scheduling appointments for care, transportation, housing, communication, substance use, and mental health. Utilizes critical thinking skills when addressing barriers to care.

Serves as a patient advocate and collaborates with community partners to connect patients to appropriate services and resources. As part of the team, they assist in assessing patient behavior and building trusting relationships for ongoing care. Work sites include Health Centers, Street Medicine Teams, Outreach Teams, and other assignments as identified. The Patient Navigator is a frontline public health worker who has a close understanding of the community served.

Essential Duties:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

* Refers and connects the patient to unmet social determinants of health such as healthcare, shelter, housing, sources of income, community mental health/substance use treatment, and other supports as applicable.

* Assesses for eligibility of DES benefits and coordinates benefits enrollment through follow-up with uninsured patients to ensure timely referral to DES and/or other community eligibility service providers.

* Assists patients in understanding care plans and instructions; documents activities, progress toward care plans, and addresses barriers to care in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.

* Provides education and support to patients with chronic health concerns.

* Provides individualized care coordination and Patient Navigation as identified.

* Consults with the care team to eliminate barriers to the efficient delivery of clinic care and patient services.

* Participates in regular team meetings, huddles, staff meetings and quality improvement projects to improve patient care.

* Builds and maintains positive working relationships and communication with patients, providers, nurses, medical support staff, case managers, agency representatives, supervisors and office staff to ensure successful patient outcomes.

* Maintains a close understanding of the community served, current events, issues and news.

* Serves as a community referral resource within the agency.

* Engages in community outreach activities as directed by supervisor which may include participation in community health fairs, working on the Mobile Medical Unit, within clinical teams on outreach activities, and other activities as assigned.

* Completes documentation within agency time frames in the EMR systems.

* Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines

* Other duties as assigned.