Patient Navigator

MAJOR FUNCTION:

The Patient Navigator works under the direction of the Director of Patient Access at Henry J Austin Health Center. This role is dedicated to the NJ FamilyCare (NJFC) Cover All Kids (CAK) initiative and coordinates closely with community partners to streamline the process for eligible families and improve their access to healthcare services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists in the maintenance of essential medical records and files and scans appropriate documents into medical records as required.
• Develop a targeted outreach plan aimed at uninsured, underserved, and hard-to-reach populations.
• Exhibits professional conduct with patients and fellow employees.
• Demonstrates flexibility and cooperation in relation to workplace staffing and manpower needs by rotating on an emergent basis and assisting the various departments and satellites as able.
• Demonstrates consistent effort to maintain sound working relationships with subordinates, peers and superiors.
• Performs work-related duties in a safe manner utilizing sound work practices as related to use of universal precautions, personal protective equipment, etc.
• Seeks guidance and validation from appropriate patient access/management resources when necessary.
• Create state-approved educational materials and distribute them through appropriate channels, including social media, print media, and community events.
• Complete NJ FamilyCare training modules to acquire in-depth knowledge of the NJFC program and the CAK initiative.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with community-based organizations, faith-based groups, and local leaders to facilitate program outreach.
• Guide families through the NJFC application process, including helping to fill out forms and compile required documentation.
• Troubleshoot application issues, provide timely updates, and ensure successful completion and submission to the proper Eligibility Determination Agency (EDA).
• Facility Requirements:
• Ensure the on-site assistance location is accessible via public transportation and compliant with ADA standards.
• Set up mobile computing stations for public use, equipped with secure internet access for connecting to the NJFC web portal.
• Develop culturally sensitive outreach programs, adapting materials and presentations to meet the specific needs of diverse communities.
• Arrange for interpreter or translation services as required during community events and individual consultations.
• Regularly attend and actively contribute to the state’s NJFC CAK Outreach and Enrollment Workgroup meetings.
• Prepare and submit detailed monthly outcome reports that track metrics like community reach, application status, and program effectiveness.
• Maintain meticulous records of all outreach activities, applications assisted, and financial expenditures for review by Henry J Austin Health Center.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Participates in other assigned duties as designated by the Supervisor. Assist staff with Spanish interpretation if bilingual in Spanish. Attend job related training as mandated.

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); minimum one (1) year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must hold current certification in Basic Life Support.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Pass proficiency testing in Spanish (if bilingual) within 30 days of notification of testing requirement.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence and memos. Ability to write correspondence; effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to, clients and other employees of the organization.
• Computer literacy.
• Skill in the application of modern office techniques and practices and the use and care of office machines and equipment. Working knowledge of common software packages necessary to perform the functions of the position.
• Ability to work well with others and to assist the public cooperatively and courteously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk or hear; is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand which can be for long periods of time, walk and stoop, kneel or crouch.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally life and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER (KSAO’s) PHYSICAL & WORK REQUIREMENTS

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

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