Healthcare Navigator

Job Summary:

The Clinic Navigator will play a vital role in our Primary Care Clinic, assessing and addressing patients' needs related to their resilience, ability to access outpatient services, and social determinants of health. This individual will link patients to needed community resources through their work on medical and Behavioral Health/Mental Health (BHMH) teams to coordinate services and care that address their medical, mental health, and/or other psychosocial needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Function as an integral part of the primary care medical teams, attending huddles, team meetings, and coordinating services as assigned by their supervisor.
• Work with the primary care medical teams to assess patients' needs and connect them to resources in the medical and social services community.
• Assess patients' social determinants of health and health literacy by utilizing screening tools and questionnaires to assess their living situation, health literacy, safety, cognitive abilities or status, history of or current substance misuse, physical, mental, or sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and mental health needs.
• Gather and maintain information, resources, and accessible services of community agencies, local and state organizations, acting as a liaison with outside agencies.
• Build a supportive relationship with patients to improve utilization of necessary and appropriate primary care, mental health, and social services, in order to improve their health status and health outcomes.
• Use motivational interviewing to assess and positively impact patients' level of engagement in their care and confidence in their ability to carry out a self-management plan.
• Communicate with the primary care team, documenting all contacts with patients in the EHR (EPIC) in a timely manner and communicating in person or by phone as needed.
• Provide culturally and clinically appropriate medical, mental health, and substance use education and information to patients, and coach patients in making healthy lifestyle changes.
• Act as the patient's advocate and healthcare navigator, assisting them in understanding the most appropriate use of health care resources.
• May facilitate, coordinate, and organize group education or group provider visits, if approved by the supervisor and in consultation with the site management team.
• May supervise students in disciplines appropriate to the Navigator's educational background and qualifications.
• Attend monthly clinical supervisions to consult with BH Manager/Supervisor regarding individual patients and patient care.
• Attend regular trainings as required.
• Ability to travel to clinics, home visits, and agency visits, etc. in a reliable, confidential, and timely manner.
• May be asked to provide remote coverage for other primary care sites based on need.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Handle protected health information in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Requirements:

• Bilingual/bicultural proficiency preferred.
• Desire to work with underserved communities.
• Desire to work with complex patients including those who may be struggling with mental health and/or substance use.
• Cultural competency.
• High level of skill in interpersonal relations and problems solving.
• High energy and self-directed individual with excellent interpersonal, problem solving, organizational and computer skills.
• Ability to take initiative to proactively organize and manage the responsibilities of the job.
• High degree of integrity and professionalism.
• Good working knowledge of available social service resources or skills to acquire knowledge and information expeditiously.
• Ability to work in challenging environments in the community at large and in patients' homes.
• Experience with group facilitation.
• Ability to work as an integral part of a high functioning team.
• Strong user of Microsoft Word and Excel. Prior EMR experience preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Commitment and alignment to Virginia Garcia's mission, vision, and values.
• Valid Oregon driver's license, reliable transportation, safe driving record and insurance coverage required.
• Bachelor's degree or at least 4 years of college education, preferably in psychology, social work, human services, or health-related field required, or combined education and experience.
• Meet criteria for QMHA in the state of Oregon; requires a Bachelor's degree in behavioral health or alternatively a combination of three years of relevant education and occupational experience.
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, skills training and case management preferred.
• Current CPR certification.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Accountability
• Role model VG's mission, vision, and shared values
• Customer-Focus
• Listen to the voice of the customer and strive to delight them by exceeding their expectations
• Teamwork
• If someone needs help, help them
• Initiative
• Be innovative, apply fresh ideas, and continuously improve how you do your work
• Confidentiality
• Maintain strict confidentiality and respect the privacy of others
• Ethical
• Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters at work
• Respect
• Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients
• Communication
• Demonstrate the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understand perspective of others

Physical Requirements:

• Percentage of time spent:
• Standing: 20% up to
• Walking: 25%
• Sitting: 50% up to
• Reaching: 5%
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 20 lbs.: infrequent 20-40 lbs.
• Travel: up to 75%

Working Environment/Physical Hazards:

• Work in well-lighted, ventilated office environment.
• Moderate noise in open office with computers, printers and light traffic.
• Equipment used:
• Computer
• Telephone, fax, copier, scanner
• Medical equipment
• Glucometer
• Pulse Oximeter

Immunization:

Staff member must meet immunization requirements as stated in VGMHC's immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.

Job description represent a general outline of the essential and major job duties, functions and qualifications required. They cannot be all-inclusive and comprehensive due to the dynamic nature of work performed to accomplish VGMHC's Mission.

VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status or physical challenges. The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices, but also includes affirmative action in the area of placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay and termination.