Corrections Specialist 2 - Patient Care Navigator - WCC

State of Washington • Mason County – Shelton, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Corrections Health Services Division is hiring a Corrections Specialist 2 to serve as a Patient Care Navigator at Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, Washington. The position provides outreach and education to identified high-risk patients and helps connect them with health information and services. The navigator works collaboratively with nursing staff, primary care providers, patient service representatives, and other members of the care team to coordinate care and address barriers to timely medical services. The role requires strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills, as well as flexibility in a dynamic environment serving patients with varied needs.

Washington Corrections Center is a transition center where newly incarcerated individuals assigned to the Department of Corrections receive an initial evaluation before placement at a correctional facility. The facility has inpatient and outpatient clinics and sees patients for physicals, transfers, and a range of health needs. The Patient Care Navigator supports patients with cancer and other complex chronic diseases, including care across multiple sites, and serves as a liaison and advocate throughout diagnosis, treatment, referrals, and transitions in care. The position also supports vulnerable patient populations, including patients seeking gender-affirming care, and works to preserve professional boundaries while providing culturally sensitive support.

The navigator helps patients understand health information, follow-up and referral instructions, and available resources; coordinates services and resources; tracks cases; and works with care teams to improve continuity and quality of care. The position participates in multidisciplinary meetings, quality improvement activities, and required trainings. This is a non-permanent position in a correctional setting, where employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous environment. Physical requirements include working in confined spaces, climbing stairs, walking long distances, frequently lifting up to 30 pounds, and, rarely, lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds and pushing up to 100 pounds.

Requirements

• Two years of experience in a health care setting.
• Three years of professional experience in adult corrections, social services, or a closely related field.
• Experience with case management for physical and/or behavioral health needs.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds; rarely, lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to complete a respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use respiratory protection as required.
• Must provide work authorization that does not require current or future employer visa sponsorship.
• A background check will be conducted before hire; a pre-employment drug test may be administered.
• May be required to provide proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• Experience working in an adult correctional facility.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients in navigating diagnosis and treatment for cancer and other complex chronic diseases involving multiple sites of care.
• Build rapport with patients through face-to-face encounters and written communication, serving as a point of contact between patients and care team members.
• Informally resolve patient concerns and barriers to timely care; coordinate, facilitate, and negotiate services and resources to support continuity of care.
• Collaborate with physicians, peers, community colleagues, and other care partners to coordinate care across the health care continuum and improve patient services.
• Explain applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Identify and address barriers to care, act on information related to denials and barriers, and refer quality, infection control, and risk management issues to the appropriate person or department.
• Work with patients and refer complex cases to the primary care team to facilitate timely multidisciplinary case conferences.
• Evaluate the program by reviewing and analyzing data, identifying trends, and making recommendations to the team, supervisor, and management.
• Serve as a patient liaison and advocate, share assessments and patient responses, and provide ongoing support throughout treatment.
• Provide patient education, logistical support, and information about resources; ensure patients understand follow-up and referral information.
• Collaborate with patients, patient representatives, and the interdisciplinary team to support care and patient-focused outcomes.
• Maintain ongoing communication with patients to check progress and support coping skills and self-care after hospitalization or an infirmary stay.
• Partner with care teams in patient care activities and care transitions; ensure patients receive education about health and wellness, disease processes, interventions, and next steps.
• Meet with patients within fourteen days of notification to discuss gender-affirming care and potential needs.
• Participate in clinic- and facility-wide quality improvement, meetings, projects, programs, required trainings, and department team meetings.
• Maintain current knowledge of departmental policies, standards, procedures, clinical processes, patient safety goals, and quality indicators.
• Develop and maintain processes and maintain detailed knowledge of the Guidelines for Healthcare of Transgender Individuals.
• Assist treatment providers with case management and case tracking.
• Attend Gender Affirming Pre-Surgical MDT meetings, Transgender Cultural Awareness meetings, LGBTQ+ Peer Support group meetings, and other meetings as scheduled.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and demonstrate cultural sensitivity and competence when working with patients.
• Assist clients in achieving identified health improvement and stabilization goals.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including comprehensive family insurance.
• Up to 25 paid vacation days per year.
• Eight hours of paid sick leave per month.
• Three days of bereavement leave.
• Twelve paid holidays per year.
• Retirement plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Dependent Care Assistance.
• Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed