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Form of workJob Description
At Whitman-Walker, our commitment to “Community, Caring, and Quality” really shines through! Our mission is to be the highest quality, culturally competent community health center serving greater Washington’s diverse urban community, including individuals who face barriers to accessing care, and with special expertise in LGBT and HIV care. We offer a full line of healthcare services including (1) comprehensive outpatient offerings for medical and dental healthcare; (2) an on-site Pharmacy; (3) legal support in the areas of access to healthcare, public benefits and private insurance, discrimination, and workplace rights, immigration, transgender rights, and others; (4) behavioral healthcare provided through individual and group therapy; and (5) confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling services.
Job Summary
The Care Navigator-Youth and Families utilizes independent judgment and discretion to provide support to HIV-positive youth (ages 13-25) and HIV-affected families as they navigate life transitions including newly diagnosed with HIV, re-engaging in medical care, transitioning to adult HIV medical care, and pregnancy and post-delivery support. The Care Navigator-Youth and Families provides intensive psychosocial support to clients, often in the community, often in the form of tangible support. The following would be considered tangible support by our Care Navigator accompanying clients to appointments, obtaining benefits and entitlements, and identifying additional supportive resources.
The position requires outreach to the highest-risk groups, and partnerships with key community and government partners to provide counseling, care, and risk management education to youth. The position accompanies clients through Whitman-Walker’s services and assists in obtaining external referrals, while also helping the client to establish a healthy support system.
Primary Essential Duties of the Care Navigator:
• Works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide specialty care to patients with adherence issues and/or unstable disease management status.
• Provides community-based therapeutic support services to clients to identify underlying barriers to self-sufficiency and full engagement in medical care for either themselves or their children
• Works collaboratively with community agencies and across systems to ensure seamless service delivery for clients with limited duplication of services.
• Utilizes independent judgment and discretion to identify clients needing specialty adherence care and collaborates with medical and behavioral health providers to encourage referrals to the adherence team as appropriate.
• Guides clients through services at Whitman-Walker and outside agencies, serving as a representative and advocate of the client and providing referrals when necessary.
• Completes assessments and measures with clients to ensure appropriate service needs are being met.
• Makes regular contact, both face-to-face and via phone, with clients to promote adherence to treatment plans and assists the client in establishing a healthy support system.
• Identifies barriers to retention and works with clients to overcome obstacles and gaps in care.
• Prepares statistical reports.
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate records in the electronic medical record (EMR) system or other data systems.
• Ensures patients receive necessary services from community organizations
• Follows-up with patients that are identified as being at risk of falling out of care or who have not been recently seen by the practice
• Maintains a current resource list of community service organizations
Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required
• Knowledge of HIV-related illnesses and substance abuse, including current treatment and adherence strategies and knowledge of risk reduction intervention strategies.
• Knowledge of chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc., with an understanding of the needs of individuals and families across the primary care continuum.
• Ability to assess clients for needs related to treatment education, risk reduction, or prevention.
• Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interviews that respect the dignity and diversity of clients.
• Ability to maintain client records and information in an accurate, timely, and confidential manner.
• Sensitivity to all areas of diversity, including HIV status, race, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
• Driving is required, therefore, access to a car and the ability to be in compliance with the WWH Driving Policy is required.
Education and Experience Required
• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
• Professional certification required
• Experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse work staff preferred; ability to work harmoniously with diverse groups of individuals required.
Working Conditions:
Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. Individual may be required to work evenings and/or weekends and organization events.
Physical Demands:
• Lifting: No more than 20 lbs. and infrequently.
• Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.
• Visual: Long periods on the computer.
• Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.
• Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.
The above job description is designed to indicate a general sense of the duties and expectations of this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required. As the nature of our business demands change, so too, may the duties and responsibilities of this position. You may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
Whitman-Walker is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants, its employees, or former employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and gender identity. For accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources.
