Care Navigator

At Northern Lights Health, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, accessible, and comprehensive healthcare to our communities. We are seeking a Care Navigator to assist our mobile healthcare providers in delivering exceptional patient care. This unique role is ideal for a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN) or Social Worker (LSW) who is passionate about hands-on patient care and enjoys a dynamic, mobile work environment. It would be a hybrid role that is both remote and onsite, with approximately one day a week in Montgomery and one in Owatonna, MN. Roughly three days remote.

As a Care Navigator, you will play a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating care services for individuals in need. You will play a vital role in assisting and supporting individuals in navigating the complex healthcare system. Your primary responsibility will be to guide and support patients, families, and caregivers through the healthcare system, ensuring seamless transitions between various healthcare providers and services. You will serve as a vital link between patients, healthcare professionals, and community resources, enabling efficient and effective delivery of care. You will act as a liaison helping to bridge gaps and enhance patient satisfaction.

• Patient Coordination: Serve as a central point of contact for patients, families, and caregivers, providing guidance and assistance throughout their healthcare journey.

• Care Planning: Collaborate with healthcare providers to develop comprehensive care plans tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Assess patient needs and develop individualized care plans in collaboration with healthcare professionals, ensuring a coordinated approach to healthcare delivery.

• Patient Navigation: Guide patients through the healthcare system, including scheduling appointments, arranging transportation, and coordinating referrals between healthcare providers.

• Referral Management: Facilitate referrals to appropriate healthcare specialists, community resources, and support services, ensuring timely access to required care. Identify and connect patients with appropriate community resources, support services, and healthcare facilities to meet their specific needs.

• Advocacy: Advocate for patients and their families, ensuring their preferences and concerns are effectively communicated and addressed within the healthcare system. Serve as a patient advocate, providing support, guidance, and information to patients and their families throughout the healthcare journey.

• Emotional Support: Provide emotional support and empathy to patients and their families, addressing their concerns, fears, and anxieties related to their healthcare journey.

• Patient Education: Provide clear and concise information to patients and their families about available healthcare services, treatment options, and community resources. Provide patients and their families with education, counseling, and resources regarding their healthcare conditions, treatment options, and self-care techniques.

• Care Transitions: Coordinate smooth transitions between different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and home care, ensuring continuity of care.

• Monitoring and Follow-up: Monitor patients' progress and follow up regularly to ensure adherence to care plans, address any concerns or barriers, and provide ongoing support.

• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of patient interactions, care plans, referrals, progress notes, and outcomes using relevant healthcare software systems while adhering to privacy and confidentiality regulations.

• Collaborative Approach: Foster effective communication and collaboration with healthcare professionals, community organizations, and other stakeholders to optimize care coordination and service delivery. Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between patients, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to ensure continuity of care.

• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on healthcare policies, regulations, and best practices related to care coordination, and actively seek opportunities for professional development and process enhancement.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in healthcare management, nursing, social work, or a related field is preferred but not required. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Experience: Prior experience in care coordination, case management, or healthcare navigation is highly desirable.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of healthcare systems, resources, and community services. Familiarity with medical terminology and healthcare regulations is an advantage.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with patients, families, healthcare professionals, and external organizations.
• Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrated ability to provide empathetic support to individuals facing medical challenges and navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues, with the ability to think critically, analyze information, and make sound decisions.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in using relevant software applications, electronic health record systems, and other digital tools to manage and track patient information and facilitate care coordination.
• Team Player: Ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams and build positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and community partners.
• Ethical Conduct: Adhere to ethical standards, maintain confidentiality, and ensure compliance with privacy and security regulations.

Note: This job description is a general outline of the typical responsibilities and qualifications for the role of a Care Navigator in healthcare. Actual job duties may vary. This job description is a general overview and may be subject to modification or refinement based on specific organizational needs and requirements.

• Impact-Driven Work: Make a real difference in patients' lives by providing personalized and accessible care.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a supportive team of healthcare professionals dedicated to innovation and excellence.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuing education, certifications, and career advancement.
• Dynamic Work Setting: Every day is different, with the ability to engage in diverse patient care experiences across multiple care sites.

Ready to make a meaningful impact in healthcare? Apply today

Northern Lights Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.