Community Health Worker/Navigator (51400)

HealthLinc•La Porte, IN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Health Navigator (CHN) is a trusted, non-clinical member of the care team who supports patients and community members in accessing affordable, coordinated, and culturally responsive healthcare. This role focuses on insurance navigation and enrollment, sliding fee scale assistance, care coordination, resource navigation, outreach, and community engagement to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes. The Community Health Navigator functions in alignment with the nationally recognized Community Health Worker (CHW) model and core competencies, while serving as a patient-facing navigator within the health center and community.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED
Certified State Navigator and Certified Counselor for SHIP within 90 days of employment
Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) within six months of employment
Certified Chronic Care Professional (CCP) within six months of employment
Strong organizational and time management skills
High level of initiative with achieving results
Leadership skills within a team environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to remain flexible and adaptable
Reliable transportation for travel and valid driver’s license
Ability to follow HealthLinc policies and procedures
Ability to conduct patient services and outreach activities remotely (when necessary and approved)
Operate a multi-line phone system and other office equipment including printers, fax machines, etc.
Basic software skills (Microsoft Office, EHR, online sources, etc.)

Nice To Haves

Experience with community resources and outreach activities
Experience with insurance navigation and enrollment

Responsibilities

Assist patients with insurance enrollment, reenrollment, and navigation, including Medicaid, Marketplace plans, Indiana SHPI Medicare enrollment services (MSP & EH) and other coverage options.
Educate patients on the health center’s sliding fee discount program, assist with applications, renewals, and documentation, and troubleshooting access issues.
Provide non-clinical care coordination, including appointment support, referrals, follow up, and connection to internal and external services.
Help patients navigate healthcare, behavioral health, social services, and community resources.
Address barriers related to transportation, cost, language, literacy, and system complexity.
Conduct outreach to patients and community members to promote clinic services, preventive care, enrollment opportunities, and health education.
Plan, support, and participate in community events, health fairs, enrollment events, and outreach activities across the service area.
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, partners, and stakeholders.
Provide education and support consistent with Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW), chronic care management (CCM), State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and other applicable certifications, as assigned.
Maintain required certifications and participate in training and professional development.
Work collaboratively as part of a care team to meet patient needs.
Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and performance improvement activities.
Serve as a patient advocate, elevating systemic barriers and community needs to leadership.
Document patient interactions, referrals, and outcomes accurately in the electronic health record (EHR) and other required systems.
Support data collection, program tracking, quality improvement, and grant reporting activities.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, HRSA requirements, and organizational policies.
All HealthLinc staff is committed to engage in quality improvement initiatives that align with and support Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH).