Community Health Navigator

Mass General Brigham•Boston, MA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The MGH Collaborative Care & Community Engagement Program is recruiting a part-time Patient Navigator to support a National Cancer Institute-funded research project adapting and implementing a collaborative care model for people with serious mental illness and cancer at MGH Boston and community sites. The role aims to increase access to patient-centered care by building trusting relationships with patients, connecting with community-based clinicians, helping patients navigate appointments, and collaborating with hospital and community care teams around identified goals and needs. The navigator helps patients and caregivers coordinate and complete appointments and reduce barriers to timely cancer and mental health care. Support may include education, appointment reminders, assistance with insurance, language or transportation barriers, navigating the Cancer Center, connections to psychosocial or palliative care teams, help with technology, and accompanying patients to appointments or meeting them in community settings. The role may also include research activities such as data collection and screening potential participants. This is not a clinical position, but it requires familiarity with mental health and basic clinical concepts, including cancer care, and the ability to recognize when referral to a licensed clinician is appropriate. The navigator receives close supervision from the social work and psychiatry team. The Patient Navigator works with patients, families, and healthcare providers to support a seamless, patient-centered care experience by helping patients navigate the healthcare system, coordinate resources, and access support. The position is based at 32 Fruit Street and is hybrid, with a day shift schedule of 20 hours per week.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Clinical Social Work, Healthcare Management, or a related field, or at least five years of experience in community mental health in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
One to two years of experience in social work, case management, or a related field, preferably in a clinical setting.
Strong knowledge of healthcare resources, community services, and patient advocacy.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines and experiences.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Familiarity with electronic health records and case management software.
Knowledge of mental health and basic clinical concepts, including cancer care, and understanding when referral to a licensed clinician is appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Experience with or interest in learning about clinical research.
Spanish language skills.

Responsibilities

Advocate for patients and families so their needs and preferences are considered in care planning.
Serve as a liaison between patients, healthcare providers, and relevant stakeholders.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and community organizations to coordinate care services, appointments, and follow-up.
Assist patients in understanding their illness and engaging in treatment.
Identify and connect patients with healthcare and community resources, including support groups, financial assistance programs, and transportation services.
Educate patients and families about medical conditions, treatment options, and self-care strategies.
Help patients become informed and empowered to participate in healthcare decisions.
Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of patient interactions, care plans, and resource referrals.
Build trusting relationships with patients and relationships with community-based clinicians.
Help patients and caregivers coordinate and complete appointments and address barriers to cancer and mental health care.
Provide navigation support that may include appointment reminders, insurance and language assistance, transportation, Cancer Center navigation, referrals or connections to psychosocial and palliative care teams, help with technology use, and accompanying patients to appointments or engaging with them in community settings.
Participate in research activities such as data collection and screening potential participants.
Recognize when referral to a licensed clinician is appropriate.