Patient Navigator through AmeriCorps

“Investing in yourself, and positively impacting the community."

AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have joined forces to launch Public Health AmeriCorps. The Public Health AmeriCorps program supports the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs.

The Public Health AmeriCorps program at Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) is seeking full-time or part-time Patient Navigators to build the infrastructure needed for RMH-NY to advance health equity outcomes for underserved medically complex children and their families. Patient Navigators will perform a full year of service, assisting RMH-NY in expanding access to wraparound services to address Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) for our target population by conducting and establishing:

(1) a social risk assessment to identify SDoH impacting target communities;

(2) a market analysis of existing community services to address SDoH; and

3) a referral network with community-based organizations in target communities.

As AmeriCorps Service Members, Patient Navigators will have the opportunity to attend virtual trainings conducted by the CDC and gain experience in the public health field.

Program Benefits: Monthly living stipend, education award upon successful completion of service, Health Coverage, Childcare assistance if eligible, Training.

Full-Time (1700 hours per year) Annual Stipend: $25,384

Half-Time (900 hours per year) Annual Stipend: $13,483

Quarter-Time (450 hours per year) Annual Stipend: $7534.80

Role/Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Defining health disparities and social determinants of health (SDoH)
• Conducting social risk assessments, and developing tools for data collection and evaluation
• Demonstrating cultural sensitivity and effective communication
• Community canvassing and building strong partnerships
• Linking community referrals to patients

Responsibilities:

• Commit to a year of learning, serving, and growing while they gain hands-on experience within Social Determinants of Health and Community Building.
• Conduct social risk assessment and administer a survey to 200 respondents to identify SDoH impacting target communities
• Conduct research and community canvassing to build knowledge and a list of recommended Community Based Organizations to provide SDoH services in target communities and present findings and recommendations
• Based on assessments, AmeriCorps Members will identify supportive services such as mental health, housing, food assistance, and other assistance as determined by the comprehensive assessment and discussions with the surveyed population
• Conduct outreach to selected agencies to establish referral relationships with RMH-NY for SDoH service provision

• Establish shared goals, referral processes, engagement agreements and incentive structures between RMH-NY and other Community Based Organizations.
• Manages, organizes, and documents interactions and interventions as directed.

• Members will also shadow Care Coordinators and the Head of Population Health & Healthcare Experience during their engagement with patients/givers, Community Based Organizations and Managed Care Organizations, and the care team, and participate in care team meetings
• Participate in ongoing professional development, networking, and service learning opportunities as part of the RMH-NY organization

Benefits

• Receive a monthly living stipend, as opposed to an hourly wage
• Eligible for full Healthcare package (medical, vision, dental)
• Childcare Coverage is provided to full time, income-eligible members
• Potential eligibility for forbearance on most federally-guaranteed student loans. Interest payments accrued during service may also be eligible for repayment by AmeriCorps
• Trainings with Centers on Disease Control and Prevention

Qualifications & Competencies

• Even-temperament, emotional balance, empathy, compassion, and maturity, accomplished by a mature/balanced approach to problem solving.
• Able to collaborate and partner across departments as external facing contact for families who potentially reside across the Boroughs
• Active, reflective listening and clear, concise communication skills.
• A positive attitude and a dedication and commitment to wanting others to succeed in reaching their goals.
• Able to work within established standards under minimal on-site supervision.
• High School Diploma equivalent required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a human services or related field is a plus.
• Experience in working with payer(s) and specifically Medicaid policies and programs, and knowledge of child access programs.
• Must have basic English language skills (encompassing reading, writing and verbal abilities) and basic math/arithmetic skills.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Must be able to read, comprehend and act in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Bilingual skills may be required, as determined by operational needs.
• Valid driver’s license may be required, as determined by operational/regional needs
• Minimum of 1 year experience in care coordination, community health, social service, or medical practice preferred.
• Community Health Worker, Medical Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Patient Care Technician, Home Health Aide, or other clinical support staff member preferred.

• Knowledge of Community Health Worker theory and practice to promote patient participation and engagement in self-care management.

Additional

Equal Employment Opportunity

Ronald McDonald House New York believes that all employees are entitled to Equal Employment Opportunity. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veterans, citizenship status, or any other legally protected characteristic while meeting the mental and physical requirements for the role.

Physical Demands

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

• Work for this role is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work may be required.
• This is largely a sedentary role; some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
• This position may require standing or walking for extensive periods of time for major events.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an member encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This role operates in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• The office for this role is located in the same facility where RMH-NY provides temporary accommodations to pediatric patients and their families while the patients are undergoing active medical treatment at area hospitals. For some RMH-NY guests, medical treatment may include radiation therapy. While radiation therapy is never administered at RMH-NY, there is the potential for some radioactive material to be present in guests who have undergone radiation therapy. Based on radiation measurements performed throughout RMH-NY, it is not expected that individuals working at RMH will receive radiation doses that would exceed the general public limit (100 millirem per year).
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud. Noise levels often increase with families and children who have temporary residence in the building as well as guests and musical performers for special events.
• This position requires flexible schedule at times to meet the needs of the families. Some weekends and evening hours are necessary.

Travel

• Some local/day travel will be necessary for the role.
• Some domestic travel may be required with overnight stays.

Other

• This description is an overview or major duties, activities and responsibilities required for the role.
• This description is not intended to be a complete listing of all tasks required for the role.
• Responsibilities will change with the needs of the organization.