Patient Navigator (Foster Care) - 40 hours, Days

UMass Memorial Health • Worcester, MA

25d • $22 - $40

About The Position

Everyone Is a Caregiver At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day. Assesses patient needs for social services, provides referrals, facilitates patient access to care. Coordinates service delivery, provides medical case management, and advocates for community-based social services for patients and their families. Explains service delivery and teaches patients how to navigate some aspects of the health care system themselves. Seeking a Patient Navigator who can be a peer to our patient community when going through the process of regaining custody of children in the foster care system. The ideal candidate has experience with having a child(ren) removed but navigated through the process and regained/maintained custody.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• Two years of social work, human service or related professional experience, including demonstrated ability in psychosocial assessment, knowledge of community resources, crisis intervention skills, and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written form.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services or Counseling.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Working as an integrated member of the primary medical care team, meets with patients, facilitates access to and coordinates delivery of social services, which may include but is not limited to financial assistance, health insurance, medication, reimbursement, transportation, foster care, educational resources, housing and extended/home care. May assist with development of patient education materials and community resource list.
• Provides education, information, and referral to specialized intervention programs, including but not limited to substance abuse detoxification, asthma outreach, rehabilitation and prevention services. Advocates and works to resolve problems of patient access to these services. Follows up with patients to complete and evaluate social service referrals, working with medical and mental health providers as well as community service agencies to develop alternate plans when indicated.
• Functions as a navigator among service providers and community resources, both within the institution and the community, including state and local government as necessary. Maintains ongoing communication/collaboration with clinical team, acting as a resource and referral source.
• May identify patients who are uninsured or need medication coverage. May meet with patients to obtain medical and social service history and counsel patients as necessary regarding insurance eligibility. May enroll patients as necessary.
• Attends periodic UMMHC team meetings to improve program. Attends staff education meetings. Receives training at least annually to maintain current knowledge applicable to program including medical care and resources as they affect the social service needs of patients. Participates in community-based meetings to stay current on new and evolving resources. Develops relationships with community-based health resources.
• Adheres to regulatory policies and procedures relative to the program. All responsibilities are essential job functions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees