Hispanic/Latino Cancer Patient Navigator

Department Overview

The Hispanic/Latino Cancer Patient Navigator provides compassionate, evidence-based, and efficient care to individuals, families, communities, and patient populations in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary clinical care teams at the OHSU Knight Cancer Center. The navigator serves as an intermediary between the health care system and the community to facilitate access to services in support of patients and their caregivers, with special attention to cultural concerns and needs of the Hispanic/Latino population. Navigators reduce barriers that keep patients from getting timely treatment by identifying patient needs and directing them to existing sources of clinical, financial, or social support. Working with cancer patients referred to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, the navigator will identify barriers to care and access issues, develop relationships with cancer center clinical and support staff, keep communication open with staff, patients, and caregivers to coordinate services within the cancer center, referring facilities, and the community. The patient navigator coordinates and provides holistic services for patients/families to improve health outcomes, improve engagement with community resources, and empower full participation in the healthcare system.

Pay Range: $24.62 - $33.28 per hour, Commensurate with Experience

Function/Duties of Position

Direct Patient/Family Care Support & Advocacy

* Engages Hispanic/Latino cancer patients and families at the time of referral to the cancer center and makes them aware of information, resources, support programs and services.


* Supports individuals and families with complex biopsychosocial needs in coordinating care with external providers and serves as system navigator and point of contact. Assumes advocate role on patient's behalf to ensure receipt of timely and appropriate services.


* Assists patients in problem solving issues related to health care delivery, financial or social barriers. Assists patients in gaining access to community services. Collaborates with care teams to meet patient/family and program goals.


* Maintains patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.



Health Education, Prevention and Outreach.

* Develops and delivers culturally congruent and trauma informed health education classes, presentations, and written materials for a variety of audiences to include healthcare providers, community, members, and patients.


* Contributes to the creation and maintenance of culturally competent patient education materials in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team.


* Conducts an initial assessment of patient/caregiver needs, with special attention to social determinants of health to identify potential individual barriers to care, and assists in helping patients access culturally appropriate, supportive care. Documents in medical record and coordinates care/needs with appropriate care team members.



Documentation

* Completes progress notes in EHR and any other required documentation for all billable and non-billable services provided. Documents collaborative care plans developed with patients and care teams when appropriate.


* Maintains accurate records documenting numbers of patients served, services provided and unmet needs to help evaluate metrics of utilization of patient navigator services by the population of interest and its impact on patient outcomes.


* Relays metric results to oncology leadership to develop and maintain programs and services.



Clinic Access/Engagement

* Increases engagement with the healthcare system through provision of education, scheduling, language, transportation, coordination needs, and other related tasks as appropriate.



Staff/Care Team Meetings and Development

* Contributes to patient and clinic teams through active participation in required care team huddles/meetings, staff meetings, development activities, and utilization review activities.


* Participates in regular team, group, and individual care conferences to provide professional perspective and provide support for patient, as needed.


* Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with cancer center professional staff including oncology social workers, disease-specific nursing navigators and other members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team to ensure open communication and smooth handoffs as patients move through the system.



Community Engagement.

* Develops and maintains effective working relationships with community partners to increase successful referrals, availability of resources, and interagency innovation.


* Participates in development and implementation of community needs assessments. Collaborates with Patient Advisory Council, if applicable.



Required Qualifications

* High school diploma or equivalent.


* Two years relevant work experience in mission-driven organization with one of those years being work experience with underserved populations with complex medical and social needs.


* Experience working in medical settings and interacting collaboratively with healthcare teams.


* Understanding of healthcare systems and basic knowledge of medical terminology.


* Evidence of life experience and cultural competence working with the Hispanic/Latino community.


* Knowledgeable about the breadth and accessibility of community resources, including those that pertain to the Hispanic/Latino community.


* Availability to work full-time (40 hours/week) with at least 4 days in-person presence on campus.


* Ability to prioritize workload, handle multiple tasks and to work independently with limited supervision.


* Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as active listening skills. Strong customer service, problem solving, relationship building and advocacy skills. Must possess ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in stressful situations.


* Experience with computer systems required, including web-based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access.


* Fluency in written and spoken English AND Spanish. Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in English and Spanish.


* Excellent telephone communication skills.


* Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are based on specific instructions, standard practices and established procedures which generally require little or no supervision.


* Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation using direct observation, knowledge and skills based on general precedents.


* Team Work: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members.


* Customer Service: Demonstrated ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.


* Cultural competence: Demonstrated ability to work or interact effectively across cultures in a way that acknowledges and respects the culture of other individuals and/or organizations


* Certification as Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) - Personal Health Navigator (PHN) or Community Health Worker (CHW) required after six months in position.

BLS/CPR certification within 6 weeks of hire.


* Ability to perform the job duties with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

* Preferred experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support, and assistance engaging with the healthcare system.


* Experience working with cancer patients and their caregivers strongly preferred.


* Current residency in the community representative of the catchment area of OHSU (Oregon & Southwest Washington) strongly preferred.


* Experience in community outreach and education



All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.