Clinic Navigator

FENWAY HEALTH • Cambridge, MA

6d

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Access: Drug User Health Clinic Supervisor, the Clinic Navigator serves two essential functions: supporting the walk-in medical clinic for people who use drugs (PWUD), and providing care coordination and follow-up for patients of the clinic at Access’s Cambridge Location. The Clinic Navigator will assist the clinic team by preparing for patient visits, conducting vital sign checks, maintaining clinic flow and providing support to all clients and medical providers. The Clinic Navigator will work to support care coordination, case management, and follow-up activities for clinic patients.

As part of the Access: Drug User Health program team, the Clinic Navigator will also support the syringe exchange/drop-in space by providing coverage as needed. In this capacity, the Clinic Navigator will provide health education, counseling and supported referrals for PWUD who are at high-risk of infection or are HIV/HCV/STI positive, while delivering harm reduction services in a drop-in setting.

Requirements

• Minimum of a High School Diploma/GED
• Phlebotomy certification/experience or a willingness to be trained in phlebotomy required.
• Understanding or familiarity of basic medical terminology/basic familiarity with electronic medical record documentation
• Commitment to practical harm reduction strategies, and drug user health advocacy and rights
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage clinically and emotionally challenging situations with utmost professionalism, care and discretion
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and communities at risk for HIV, Hepatitis C and STIs -- especially injection drug users, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people of color, those who are foreign-born and may be undocumented, and those who are homeless or unstably housed.
• Self-directed, motivated and flexible with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

• Current CPR Certification preferred
• Harm Reduction work experience preferred
• Successful completion of Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or EMT Program; CMA or RMA strongly preferred
• Knowledge of emergency housing options in greater Boston
• Knowledge of health-related social issues faced by injection drug users.
• Experience in conflict resolution, crisis de-escalation, and milieu management.
• Bilingual capacity preferred

Responsibilities

• Support Walk-In Medical Clinic
• Organize and prepare patient visits including conducting client registration and insurance verification in the Electronic Medical Record
• Conduct vital sign checks
• Check exam room for general cleanliness and restocks as necessary
• Assist with patient care under the direction of appropriate medical provider
• Assist with collection and transport of lab samples.
• Maintain clinic flow in a drop-in-based outpatient clinic
• Provide pre- and post-test counseling to those seeking HIV/STI/HCV screening and treatment
• Provide clients with harm reduction counseling on safer injection and vein care strategies, wound care, overdose prevention, sexual health and HIV/HCV/STI transmission
• Follow specimen collection protocols as determined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; conduct fourth generation serum testing for HIV, performing phlebotomy as needed
• Conduct risk assessments and risk reduction plans.
• Provide Accessible and Low-Threshold Care Coordination Services that Operate within the Harm Reduction Framework to PWUD
• Provide clients with easily accessible and low-threshold services that operate within the harm reduction framework. This includes assisting clients with accessing medical and behavioral health care, substance use treatment, housing options/referrals to shelters and other essential support services.
• Assist patients with scheduling appointments
• Collaborate with other care team members to facilitate patient specialty care needs
• Coordinate with Fenway Health’s Prior Authorization Team and external specialty pharmacies as needed
• Provide Harm Reduction Services to PWUD in a Drop-In/Syringe Exchange Setting
• Conduct overdose prevention training and distribute Naloxone
• Collect and distribute syringes from PWUD. This includes safely handling, storing and disposing of syringes, and general biohazard and infection control protocols
• Administer Naloxone during overdose events or other emergencies
• Escort members to the building’s bathroom, ensuring that all precautions and safety checks are in place
• Conduct periodic sweeps of the outside perimeter to ensure that there are no discarded materials and ensure community member safety
• Work with team to organize daily operations and programs in the drop-in center, including opening and closing procedures to help ensure facilities are clean, safe and welcoming
• Participate in mobile outreach as needed
• Participate in Planning and Implementation of New Interventions
• Participate in program planning through interdisciplinary team meetings
• Collaborate with clinical and non-clinical providers to provide quality care and seamless continuum of services
• Attend continuing education seminars, staff in-services, and stay up to date on relevant trends in prevention services among PWUD.
• Meet Agency Participatory Expectations
• Adhere to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
• Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adhere to the highest principles of client confidentiality
• Adhere to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; enforce agency’s policies and clinical procedures, including safety and crisis procedures.
• Attend all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
• Maintain professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintain and provide the agency with records of continuing education activities
• Perform related duties and projects as required

Benefits

• We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match.
• We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees