Health Care Navigator

The Healthcare Navigator is a non-medical position whose primary responsibilities are to identify coordinate and connect clients enrolled in One80 Places outreach programs to medical care in the community. The Healthcare Navigator will help individuals and families identify and apply for healthcare and other entitlements benefits as well as coordinate healthcare addition the Healthcare Navigator is responsible for receiving scheduling and following up on medical referrals for mental health medical specialist services and medication requests.

Under the direct supervision of the Outreach Director the Healthcare Navigator serves as the liaison between the health services and community case management teams to ensure medical treatment adherence and retention in housing.

The Healthcare Navigator must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time be comfortable working for long periods in homeless encampments and other areas where people experiencing homelessness congregate and may be exposed to extreme weather conditions such as heat cold rain etc. This position may provide services throughout Charleston Berkeley Dorchester Hampton Beaufort Jasper and Colleton Counties.

This Healthcare Navigator position is funded wholly through the Housing and Urban Developments Supplemental NOFO. The Healthcare Navigator will dedicate 100% of their time working with unsheltered individuals and families engaged through outreach.

One80 Place ends and prevents homelessness throughout South Carolina with offices located in Charleston North Charleston and Columbia. This position will be based in North Charleston.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. A High school diploma or equivalent required. A Degree in healthcare preferred. 1-2 years experience working directly with patients in a healthcare setting.

2. Candidates licensed in the state of South Carolina to diagnose mental health conditions independently will be prioritized but not a requirement for the position (i.e. LPC LCSW).

3. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information to include protected health information.

4. Ability to work as a member of a team and promote teamwork with other staff members as well as work independently.

5. Ability to provide trauma informed services and utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction principles.

6. Excellent computer skills including basic office programs and the ability to learn and utilize the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database.

7. Ability to multitask and prioritize duties.

8. Excellent organizational verbal and written communication skills.

9. Valid drivers license and use of reliable transportation for outreach and housing navigation activities.

10. Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.

11. Demonstrated knowledge of community resources social service agencies and healthcare systems throughout the Lowcountry.

12. Must be able to work a flexible schedule.

13. Willing to travel to throughout the seven-county Lowcountry Continuum of Care service area.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment

1. Conduct assessments to understand the individual or familys situation potential barriers to care the causes and the impact of such barriers on the clients ability to access and maintain health care services.

Referral Activities

1. Maintains ongoing tracking and appropriate EHR documentation to promote awareness and client safety for all in-house and community service providers referrals.

2. Work with clients to complete the CoC assessment and prioritization tool to provide them access to services in a streamlined way have their strengths and needs assessed and provide quick connections to housing and other services (Coordinated Entry (CE)).

3. Contacts clients prior to scheduling appointment to assess clients scheduling preferences/needs. Reviews details and expectations about the referral with the client.

4. Assists clients with problem solving potential issues related to healthcare system financial or social barriers by working in partnership with the assigned case manager.

5. Contacts clients to provide appointment date time location and preparation information if appropriate.

6. Provide transportation to and from medical appointments when the client is unable to get to appointments on their own. Identify other options and long-term solutions for transportation once the client is housed.

7. Provides information concerning the referral process.

8. Follows up on incomplete referrals (client no show/cancel appointment).

Care Coordination

1. Promotes timely access to appropriate health care.

2. Develops and fosters collaboration between One80 Place and healthcare providers and resources throughout the Lowcountry.

3. Connect clients to relevant community resources with the goal of enhancing client health and well-being increasing client satisfaction and reducing unnecessary health visits.

4. Serve as the contact point advocate and informational resource for clients as it relates to healthcare to outreach and housing teams family members and community resources.

5. Work with clients to plan and monitor care.

6. Ability to navigate complex systems like Medicaid Medicare and all other healthcare plans that supplement the cost of services and medications.

7. Create ongoing processes for clients and family members(s) to determine and request the level of care coordination support they desire at any given point in time.

8. Facilitate client access to appropriate medical and specialty providers.

9. Educate client and family members (s) about relevant community resources.

10. Facilitate and attend meetings between client family members(s) housing case managers and community resources as needed.

11. Assist with the identification of high-risk clients (the chronically ill and those with special health care needs) and flag those for follow-up.

12. While working independently have the skills to respond to clients in crisis and quickly connect with the appropriate first responders to ensure client/staff safety.

13. Ability to set the client up with short term care coordination and assist the case manager OR client (depending on acuity) with education to take over for long term support with connections to healthcare.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

1. Works in collaboration with all One80 Place staff to facilitate a team environment and work towards meeting the mission of ending and preventing homelessness.

2. Participates in team discussions to best meet client needs.

3. Actively participates in monthly staff and team meetings and commits to group decisions.

4. Attends scheduled training programs for professional development.

5. Role models effective team behavior.

6. Reports to work on time well-groomed appropriately dresses and ready to serve as a positive role model to all clients.

Recordkeeping and Reporting:

1. Maintain files on each client in HMIS and EHR.

2. Provide routine documentation of coordination and follow-up of all services.

3. Collects all required data necessary for funding and statistical reports.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS:

1. Requires sound mental reasoning sound judgment and the ability to respond calmly and effectively in a crisis.

2. Requires the ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness.

3. Requires corrective vision and hearing to normal range; ability to move between service locations; ability to lift 25 lbs.

4. Possible exposure to communicable diseases emotionally stressful working conditions and irregular hours.

5. Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.

6. Comfortable working in homeless encampments and other areas people experiencing homelessness may congregate.

7. Exposure to weather conditions such as heat rain etc.