Patient Navigator Ii

The Patient Navigator II is a liaison and an advocate between Premier Community HealthCare Group (PCHG) patients, caregivers, and health care providers to improve patient care in a complex health care system. Assists the community health center target population with accessing and maximizing benefits from community services, clinical care, and/or health insurance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrated ability to remove barriers to care for patients by researching and providing critical resources to help patients navigate through the complexities of healthcare services and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to determine eligibility, provide enrollment assistance or general education for various health insurance plans including the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM), CHIP, and Medicaid, and/or Medicare.
• Identify and assist patients in navigating the complex healthcare systems, accessing care and/or payer coverage.
• Assess, collect, and document social determinants of health among patients to overcome barriers to care, such as literacy, food insecurity, transportation, housing, childcare arrangements, etc.
• Develop an in-reach engagement plan for the patients at the designated sites assigned, especially marginalized populations (MSAW, Homeless, Public Housing residents).
• Establish and maintain an updated community resource guide of current social service providers such as housing, employment assistance, food, childcare, transportation, education, etc.
• Maintain a strong referral network within the community.
• Demonstrated ability to document patient encounters accurately and efficiently.
• Complete reporting requirements according to organizational standards, including work plan with weekly schedules.
• Provide coverage for Patient Navigators across sites and back-up Lead Patient Navigator as needed.
• Ability to problem solve newer care team member questions and give guidance or tips for effectiveness. Expected to give insights to new ideas and solutions to promote workplace effectiveness.
• Effectively communicates with patients/families during complex or highly sensitive matters in a professional manner.
• Regular attends and participates in assigned meetings.
• Provides constructive solutions for positive changes within the office and may lead process improvement projects. Travel to other Premier sites, assist with health promotion events and community outreach.
• Ensure patient confidentiality and EMR security at all times.
• Keep other care team members informed when situations occur that disrupt timely patient flow through site.
• Adhere to patient care needs and the core values of Premier Community HealthCare to provide a best-in-class patient experience.
• Work towards attaining department goals and drive Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance (QI/QA).
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to be organized with confidential patient material and adaptable in response to changing patient needs.
• Ability to utilize interpersonal skills and communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with multiple levels within the organization.
• Ability to conduct community outreach and health promotion, which includes events that may be held after hours and/or on weekends.
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and produce quality results on time with attention to detail.
• Ability to write up reports for programs and events.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Exceptional knowledge of community resources and working with people from diverse ethnic groups and backgrounds.
• General knowledge with Electronic Health Records (EHR)/Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
• Proficiency with office equipment, MS Office, and ability to adapt to using other automation systems, computer/software tools.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required with three (3) years of experience as a patient and/or healthcare navigator, patient advocate, case manager, eligibility/enrollment specialist or related position.
• Associate’s degree strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience as a patient and/or healthcare navigator, patient advocate, case manager, eligibility/enrollment specialist or related position. Prefer three (3) years experience, one (1) being in a Community Health Care facility, hospital or other related social services organization.
• Certified Application Counselor certification through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or ability to achieve certification within 90 days of hire.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Strong understanding of cultural competency with the target population.
• Broad base knowledge of community resources.
• Experience in conducting enabling assistance, patient advocacy, and/or outreach at community events.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Ability to lift 20 lbs. regularly and 30 lbs.-50 lbs. occasionally.
2. Ability to sit for long periods of time.
3. Ability to travel across Pasco and Hernando counties for events, on-site support and building community relations.
4. Direct exposure to computer screens.
5. May be exposed to contagious/infectious diseases.