Patient Navigator Specialist

The Ohio State University

25d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Navigator Specialist works in one or more departments in a dynamic health care environment, providing one-on-one assistance to patients as they navigate the health care system. The role supports timely screening, diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment cancer care, and supportive services. The specialist collaborates with health care professionals and multidisciplinary teams to promote safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable patient care, while assessing and addressing patients’ needs to optimize health and wellness. Serving as a point of contact among providers, patients, and other clinical caregivers, the Patient Navigator Specialist empowers and advocates for patients as they manage cancer and treatment. The role evaluates barriers to care, health disparities, and quality indicators; identifies resources to address medical, insurance, financial, and social issues; and helps patients participate in decision-making and develop solutions that support self-navigation. The specialist applies knowledge of cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and related physical, psychological, and social issues to connect patients with appropriate resources. The role maintains current resource materials, coordinates with care teams, social work, Patient Care Resource Managers, and other internal partners, and documents patient encounters, barriers, and referrals in the medical record. The work focuses on reducing cancer health disparities among medically underserved patients and improving timely access to care across the continuum.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, Public Health, or a selected field with emphasis on case management or social work.
Two years of relevant experience working with underserved populations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience working in a multicultural setting.
Ability to initiate and maintain positive working relationships with CCHE staff, internal partners, and patients.
Good communication skills, including listening well and using language appropriately.
Ability to promote patient navigator services within the multidisciplinary team.
Ability to develop understanding of communities served and community connectedness.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience working in a community-based setting.

Responsibilities

Provide one-on-one assistance to patients navigating the health care system to support timely screening, diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment cancer care, and supportive services.
Serve as a point of contact among providers, patients, and other clinical caregivers; empower and advocate for patients dealing with cancer and treatment.
Evaluate barriers to care, health disparities, and quality indicators.
Identify resources for patients and families addressing medical, insurance, financial, and other social issues.
Help patients identify administrative, structural, social, and practical issues, participate in decision-making, and develop solutions that support self-navigation, including clinical trial participation.
Connect patients with appropriate resources and referrals related to cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and associated physical, psychological, and social needs.
Maintain and coordinate current resources and materials addressing Social Determinants of Health.
Work with the care team, social work, Patient Care Resource Managers, and other internal partners to address patient needs.
Document patient encounters, barriers to care, and resources or referrals used to resolve barriers in the medical record.
Participate in multidisciplinary teams and support care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable.
Promote patient navigator services within the multidisciplinary team.
Develop understanding of the communities served and community connectedness.
Initiate and maintain positive working relationships with CCHE staff, internal and external partners, and patients.