Bilingual Dental Health Care Patient Navigator

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

27d•$53,940 - $60,408•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Colorado College of Nursing is hiring a full-time, benefits-eligible Bilingual Dental Health Care Patient Navigator for Sheridan Health Services, a multi-site, nurse-managed federally qualified community health center. The role combines patient referral coordination, care navigation, and administrative support for dental and medical services. The navigator serves as a primary point of contact for dental patients, supports access and continuity of care, and works with dental professionals, other providers, patients, families, and community partners. The position is based onsite at Sheridan Health Services in Denver and may require staffing community clinical sites. Sheridan Health Services is a collaborative effort between the College of Nursing and the Sheridan School District. Its clinics provide services primarily to residents of Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson counties, including primary care across the lifespan, prenatal and postpartum care, gynecology, dentistry, pharmacy, health services, and outpatient substance abuse treatment. The patient population is diverse, and Spanish is the predominant second language. The navigator coordinates dental referrals and follow-up, helps patients understand treatment plans and financial responsibilities, identifies barriers to care, and connects patients with resources and specialty services. The role also supports intake and registration, electronic health record documentation, insurance verification, prior authorizations, appointment scheduling, referral tracking, and community outreach. It requires professional bilingual Spanish/English communication in a clinical setting, confidentiality, and compliance with HIPAA, FQHC regulations, and University policies. The role may involve occasional after-hours or weekend community outreach events and work in a patient care environment with some exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.

Requirements

Four years of experience working with patients in a health care setting, including at least one year of referral coordination in a clinical setting or an insurance company health plan referral unit; alternatively, a combination of related education and/or relevant experience equal to four years.
Willingness and ability to use Spanish/English bilingual skills at a conversational level in a clinical setting.
Willingness and ability to obtain current BLS/CPR certification by the date of hire.
Willingness and ability to remain credentialed and keep credentialing materials current.
Willingness and ability to work in a patient care environment with some exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in writing and orally.
Interpersonal skills to work effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary health care team members.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time independently.
Outstanding customer service skills and attention to detail.
Knowledge of health terminology and experience using electronic health record systems.
Ability to identify problems, research and recommend resolutions, and exercise discretion and appropriate decision-making.
Knowledge of and compliance with HIPAA and OSHA requirements.
Intermediate-level computer competency.
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize organizational needs.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
Responsibility, reliability, courtesy, and ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
Ability to ensure compliance with HIPAA, FQHC regulations, and University policies.
Legal authorization to work in the United States without requiring current or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
Experience as a Care Coordinator, Case Manager, Patient Navigator, Dental Assistant, or Medical Assistant.
Experience working with health insurance.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for dental patients to support access, engagement, and continuity of care.
Maintain accurate records of patient interactions, referrals, and outcomes.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and care coordination efforts.
Coordinate dental referrals with community and clinic providers, track completion in the EHR, and help ensure patients receive indicated care.
Connect and empower dental patients and families to access resources and navigate specialty-care systems.
Communicate diagnostic and clinical information as needed for referrals and pre-authorization requests.
Provide care navigation, including scheduling, referrals, pre-authorization requests, and follow-up coordination for dental services.
Help patients understand dental treatment plans, estimates, insurance coverage, and financial responsibilities.
Screen for barriers to care, including transportation, language, and insurance, and connect patients with resources.
Use strengths-based and recovery-based approaches and consider cultural factors, including facilitating communication and interpretation support when applicable.
Assist with grant reporting and deliverables related to community-resource access and Social Determinants of Health measures.
Conduct patient outreach by phone, text, and in person to reduce missed appointments and improve treatment completion.
Support patient intake, registration, and EHR documentation.
Maintain the Behavioral Oral Health Integration spreadsheet tracking referrals between dental and behavioral health service lines, especially for patients identified as having neurodevelopmental disorders.
Coordinate with the front desk to reschedule broken appointments according to clinic policies.
Check Epic and CORHIO for emergency room or hospital visits and schedule follow-up as needed.
Support community outreach, education, and oral health promotion on and off site, including occasional after-hours or weekend events.
Assist with insurance verification and eligibility screening and connect patients with appropriate resources.
Communicate clinical issues to clinical staff and provide customer service, basic phone triage, phone coverage, registration, and scheduling as needed.
Determine eligibility for services based on established criteria and provider capacity; gather patient demographic and health information; and schedule appointments consistent with insurance plans and health needs.
Perform administrative referral work and track referrals through completion; collaborate with the front desk and respond to patient and team needs in a timely manner.
Manage and process releases and requests of information.
Help the front desk schedule dental visits with attention to patient-specific needs and accommodations.
Work with the dental assistant team to track and stock supplies and maintain and store sterilized instruments.
Coordinate between patients and the pharmacy as indicated or requested by providers and participate in medication prior authorizations as needed.
Build relationships with community resources to support seamless referrals and attend community partner meetings representing the SHS team.
Serve as clinic liaison to community partners, including Children’s Hospital Colorado, CU Anschutz School of Medicine, Sheridan School District, Urban Peak, and Family Voices.