Patient Navigator (Foster Care) - 40 hours, Days

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position seeks a Patient Navigator who can serve as a peer to patients navigating the foster care system, particularly those working towards regaining or maintaining custody of their children. The role involves assessing patient needs for social services, providing referrals, coordinating service delivery, offering medical case management, and advocating for community-based social services. The Patient Navigator will also explain service delivery and educate patients on how to navigate aspects of the healthcare system independently. The ideal candidate will have personal experience with child(ren) being removed and successfully navigating the process to regain or maintain 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.
Personal experience with DCF, Foster Care and navigating through the processes to regain custody.

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.