Health Navigator

ANCHORAGE NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER INC • Anchorage, AK

12d • $26 - $40

About The Position

At ANHC, we believe everyone deserves high-quality, respectful, and compassionate care, regardless of their ability to pay. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we serve a diverse patient population with a commitment to health equity and community well-being. Our culture is grounded in our core values: Respect, Compassion, Personal Integrity, Excellence, and Collaborative Spirit. These values guide how we care for our patients and how we treat one another. We foster a supportive, team-orientated environment where every voice is heard, diversity is celebrated, and staff are empowered to grow and make meaningful contributions. At ANHC, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team that shows up every day with purpose, heart, and a deep commitment to the community we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Health Navigators (HNs) provide time-limited support to patients in navigating healthcare and social service systems. HNs improve health outcomes by addressing the broad array of health-related social needs (HRSNs) that impact patients’ ability to engage in care. HNs assist patients in overcoming barriers to accessing services and/or timely access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment. HNs assess patients’ HRSNs, identify appropriate internal or community resources, and support patients in accessing identified resources. HNs are integral to the primary care team, helping build a patient-centered medical home that provides comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible care.

Requirements

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience in working with vulnerable or underserved populations.
• Highschool Diploma or GED; bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field preferred.
• May substitute relevant experience for education on a year-to-year basis.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
• Must be able to work flexible schedule that includes evening and weekend outreach events.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in primary care or safety-net clinic setting preferred.
• Bilingual preferred

Responsibilities

• Complete screening and assessments on patients’ barriers to care and HRSNs.
• Work independently with patients to identify and assist with accessing needed resources to meet care plan goals. This may include external resources to address social, economic, and housing needs.
• Provide system guidance and aid to patients needing additional support navigating ANHC services, external specialty providers, and/or local social service systems. These activities may include, but are not limited to, assistance with completing applications and navigating intake processes for external entities, application assistance for benefit programs, scheduling help, transportation support, and advocating for patients’ needs.
• Act as a patient advocate: elevate the patient’s voice so that preferences are respected, and needs are met within the healthcare system.
• Empower patients by highlighting personal agency.
• Educate patients on rights and responsibilities within a healthcare setting.
• Educate patients and their support systems on healthcare systems, the importance of engagement in care, and available resources to increase access and/or improve health outcomes.
• When necessary, provide on-going support for highest acuity cases until a warm hand-off to another long-term case manager is possible.
• Identify appropriate community providers to transfer case management services; provide follow up at agreed upon interval, when necessary.
• Provide follow-up to determine outcomes of referrals to local community resources.
• Work closely with the primary care team including medical providers, nurses, behavioral health, community resources, and other team members to ensure coordinated, holistic care.
• Remain knowledgeable of community resources and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with outside service agencies.
• Participate in community meetings to build connectivity across services providers.
• Foster interagency relationships to improve access to social services for shared patients.
• Maintain current materials on local social services for ANHC staff.
• Conduct patient outreach activities, as assigned, to better understand the social service needs and/or barriers to care experienced by ANHC patients and community members.
• Assist with the ongoing development of workflows to assess and address patients’ HRSNs. This includes testing new methods, gathering data, and working within a team to adjust workflows as necessary.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of assessments, care plans, interventions, progress notes, and communications.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory standards regarding privacy and data security.
• Data collection and tracking of activities as required for grant compliance.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary and Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) with employer match, and more)
• 7 Paid Holidays + 1 floating holiday per fiscal year
• Generous PTO accrual
• Continuing education and professional development reimbursement
• Mission-driven work that supports your growth and well-being.
• Collaborative team that values respect, compassion, and integrity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED