The Community Health Navigator (CHN) is a trusted, non clinical member of the care team who supports patients and community members in accessing affordable, coordinated, and culturally responsive healthcare. This role focuses on insurance navigation and enrollment, sliding fee scale assistance, care coordination, resource navigation, outreach, and community engagement to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes. The Community Health Navigator functions in alignment with the nationally recognized Community Health Worker (CHW) model and core competencies, while serving as a patient facing navigator within the health center and community.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patient Access & Insurance Navigation
- Assist patients with insurance enrollment, reenrollment, and navigation, including Medicaid, Marketplace plans, Indiana SHPI Medicare enrollment services (MSP & EH) and other coverage options.
- Educate patients on the health center's sliding fee discount program, assist with applications, renewals, and documentation, and troubleshooting access issues.
Care Coordination & Resource Navigation
- Provide non clinical care coordination, including appointment support, referrals, follow up, and connection to internal and external services.
- Help patients navigate healthcare, behavioral health, social services, and community resources.
- Address barriers related to transportation, cost, language, literacy, and system complexity.
Outreach & Community Engagement
- Conduct outreach to patients and community members to promote clinic services, preventive care, enrollment opportunities, and health education.
- Plan, support, and participate in community events, health fairs, enrollment events, and outreach activities across the service area.
- Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, partners, and stakeholders.
Education & Certification Aligned Activities
- Provide education and support consistent with Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW), chronic care management (CCM), State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and other applicable certifications, as assigned.
- Maintain required certifications and participate in training and professional development.
Team Collaboration
- Work collaboratively as part of a care team to meet patient needs.
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and performance improvement activities.
- Serve as a patient advocate, elevating systemic barriers and community needs to leadership.
Documentation & Data
- Document patient interactions, referrals, and outcomes accurately in the electronic health record (EHR) and other required systems.
- Support data collection, program tracking, quality improvement, and grant reporting activities.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, HRSA requirements, and organizational policies.
- All HealthLinc staff is committed to engage in quality improvement initiatives that align with and support Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Training
- High School Diploma/GED
- Certified State Navigator and Certified Counselor for SHIP within 90 days of employment
- Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) within six months of employment
- Certified Chronic Care Professional (CCP) within six months of employment
Experience
- Experience with community resources and outreach activities (preferred)
- Experience with insurance navigation and enrollment (preferred)
Skills/Job Requirement
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- High level of initiative with achieving results
- Leadership skills within a team environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to remain flexible and adaptable
- Reliable transportation for travel and valid driver's license
- Ability to follow HealthLinc policies and procedures
- Ability to conduct patient services and outreach activities remotely (when necessary and approved)
Technology Skills
- Operate a multi-line phone system and other office equipment including printers, fax machines, etc.
- Basic software skills (Microsoft Office, EHR, online sources, etc.)