Care Navigator

Job Type

Full-time

Description

The Care Navigator serves as a trusted liaison who empowers individuals and families to improve their health and well-being. Through culturally tailored outreach and hands-on support, the Care Navigator helps individuals and families navigatehealth and social systems, overcome barriers, and connect to essential resources like housing, food, and employment. The ideal candidate is empathetic, organized, community-focused, deeply committed to advancing health equity, and open to learning new skills and evolving with the role.

• Conducts comprehensive intake assessments and determines eligibility for Enhanced Care Management (ECM). Works with providers to assess client needs.
• Assists clients with Medi-Cal and other program eligibility, including coverage navigation and accessing their managed care plan benefits. Connects uninsured clients with community resources for accessing health insurance.
• Addresses barriers to health by identifying and connecting clients to services such as housing, food, transportation, and employment.
• Connects clients to health education and primary care providers to support prevention and management of chronic health conditions. Connects clients with behavioral health services and programs.
• Coordinates and advocates with healthcare and social service providers on behalf of clients
• Supports clients with perinatal and maternal health needs by coordinating care and providing connection to resources.
• Builds clients capacity to access community resources such as housing and food; monitors follow-up to ensure access.
• Engages with clients in a culturally and linguistically responsive manner to ensure health and social services are accessible and aligned with clients' preferences.
• Leads care coordination for clients with complex physical and behavioral health conditions; provides intensive case management including care planning and coordinating across providers and systems.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the client, client's family, authorized representative
• (AR), caregiver, or other authorized support person(s), as appropriate, and the multidisciplinary care team providing care to the client.
• Uses client-centered approaches, such as health coaching, to help individuals set realistic goals for improving their health and encourages and motivates them to reach their goals.
• Collaborates with clients and/or their parent, caregiver, guardian, and multidisciplinary team to develop comprehensive, personalized care plans based on clients' needs to ensure a whole-person approach is taken in identifying gaps in treatment or gaps in available and needed services. Monitors care plan progress with clients.
• Builds clients capacity to access and navigate complex healthcare and community systems. Follows up to ensure connection to services.
• Schedules and accompanies clients to health and wellness appointments, and arranges transportation to appointments, as needed.
• Meets with clients in person, offering services where clients live, seek care, or other preferred location.
• Performs outreach to identify and engage members eligible for ECM services, including field visits, phone calls, and mailing information.
• Educates clients on wellness and prevention strategies and resources during one-on-one and group interactions.
• Utilizes evidence-based practices and tools based on organizational priorities and training.
• Promotes trust and rapport with clients through empathy and consistent follow-up.
• Communicates effectively with clients, interdisciplinary team members, and community partners
• Maintains timely, complete, and accurate documentation of client services and referrals in the organization's data systems with attention to billing requirements.
• Participates in case conferencing and meets regularly with the ECM clinical consultant to review care plans and receive case guidance.
• Completes ECM and other required training.
• Meets productivity and performance targets for outreach, member contacts, and documentation
• Ensures compliance with client privacy regulations and other confidentiality policies when handling client information.
• Operates in compliance with agency procedures and Medi-Cal guidelines for Enhanced Care Management services.
• Perform other duties as required by the needs of the organization
• Participate in all required agency events

Requirements

Education and Certification:

• High school graduate or GED
• Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred for CHWs providing ECM services
• Community Health Worker Certificate required, or obtain one within 6 months of start date

Experience

• A minimum of 18 months working to support the health or social well-being of marginalized, high-risk, and underserved populations
• Experience using a computer for documentation, communication, and organizing daily tasks, including Microsoft Office and databases
• Lived experience that aligns with and provides a connection between the CHW and the Member or population being served.

Other Qualifications

• Fluent in Spanish
• Cultural responsiveness and cultural humility
• Client-centered, e.g., active listening skills, empathy, and compassion for others
• Ability to exercise judgment in carrying out job responsibilities
• Strong organization and time management skills, and ability to prioritize and work under pressure in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Interest in opportunities to grow and learn on the job
• Flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving skills
• Available for 8-hour shifts at the worksite with start times 8:30-10:00 am and end times 5:00-7:00 pm, and occasional evening or weekend hours as needed
• Ability to drive and have a reliable vehicle with car insurance

Salary Description

$28 - $32/hour