Patient Navigator II

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Patient Navigator II guides patients through the health care system and ensures that patients and members are able to access culturally and linguistically appropriate services in a timely and cost effective manner. The Patient Navigator II helps patients arrive at scheduled appointments on time and prepared for specific procedures. Facilitates interaction and communication with health care staff and providers. Offers educational materials in appropriate language. These activities requires the Patient Navigator to properly document care plans in the electronic medical record, and to be knowledgeable about community resources, including financial, educational, social, and emotional support services available to patients. The Patient Navigator II shall demonstrate cultural competency with respect to the patient populations served and will track patients through completion of all diagnostic and treatment plans to ensure timely receipt of care. The Patient Navigator II manages the patient tracking database and is responsible for entering all patient demographic and appointment information into the system. Additionally, the Patient Navigator II is responsible for running routine and ad-hoc reports to facilitate efficient patient tracking and to optimize the program's capacity.

Position: Patient Navigator II       

Department: Population Health

Schedule: Part Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

1) Assessment:

• Provides advocacy and case management services for patients (medical and social case management) under the supervision and direction of the Administrative Director (or other qualified individual).
• Assesses patient and family to ascertain those emotional and social problems, and identifies barriers to care, and formulates plan
• Assists patients by linking them to a broad range of services, including, but not limited to, healthcare support services, social work, financial assistance, child-care, housing, food, financial entitlements, clothing, transportation food pantries, and appropriate community resources. .

2) Addressing Needs

• Monitors patients’ progress via patient’s level of functioning, adherence to treatment plans, recovery/relapse process and/or service needs.
• Assists with medical insurance application process (guides prospective enrollees through completing application, obtaining documents, etc). Ensures that patients have and maintain medical insurance coverage for engagement in care.
• Assists with scheduling outpatient visits and follow-up as needed
• Provides education, counsels, and supports clients.  Uses a variety of culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate strategies, in a variety of settings. Coordinates with Interpreter Services, as needed.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with the community and resources to ensure patient access, and represents BMC and the Cancer Care Center at Community Health Centers and Community Health Fairs.
• Collaborates and coordinates with health care team members, including social work, to promote positive prevention, harm reduction.

3) Compliance and Contract reporting:

• Documents patient encounters, resource development efforts, and other interventions for each patient, including date, time, and signature in the electronic medical record.
• Complies with departmental, regulatory and contract requirements for documentation recording, and data collection, and submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.

4) Research

• Works closely with the Enter research program names here if appropriate to ensure that patients are provided information about, and access to research studies and survivorship services and events.

5) Meets hospital-wide standards in the following areas:

• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights and privacy
• Utilizes hospital’s policies and standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures

6) Other Duties:

• Participates in Grant writing, grant reporting, and in the preparation of program summaries
• Assists in the preparation of abstract writing and presentations for national conferences
• Coordinates and provides trainings for patient navigators and care coordinators at community health centers
• Provides other administrative and special project assistance as required or assigned by Administrative Director (or other qualified individual).
• Remains knowledgeable of and follows appropriate policies, procedures, and work standards, including but not limited to, policy regarding hours of work, absenteeism, and tardiness.
• Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality of care.
• Maintains strict protocols of all confidential or sensitive information
• Attends hospital required and relevant training sessions or activities, as assigned by Administrative Director.
• Promotes a positive and collaborative work environment supportive of the hospital’s missions and goals.
• Provides a link between the Enter department name here and other hospital departments.
• Adapts to changing departmental needs, including but not limited to, offering assistance to other team members, adjusting assignments, and other functions as determined by the Administrative Director.
• Assists in orientation/training of new staff members and volunteers.
• Performs other duties assigned or as necessary.

Must adhere to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Associate’s Degree required.  Degree in social work, psychology or related human services field is highly preferred.

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

None

EXPERIENCE:

No previous healthcare experience is required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Familiarity with community, social, and health resources; willingness to learn about social services in the community.
• Empathetic nature and ability to work with ill patients; openness to developing skills in multicultural needs assessments and service plan development.
• Eagerness to establish working relationships with patients, their families, professionals, and the community; willingness to collaborate with a multidisciplinary health care team.
• Basic computer skills, including data entry and database management.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment; developing organizational skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to interact with various members of the health care team, patients, and their families.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond English) appropriate to the patient population served are a plus. § Flexibility and willingness to adapt to clients' priorities, evolving needs, and goals.
• Sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, gender, and sexual orientation diversity; values; beliefs; and behaviors.
• Enthusiasm for learning and applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a healthcare setting.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans