Patient Navigator

Sierra Healthcare•Las Cruces, NM

About The Position

You are joining a team shaped by five generations of care — where values like trust, transparency, and collaboration guide everything we do. Whether you serve patients directly or support those who do, your role helps bring out the courage in others. The Patient Navigator works alongside home health and hospice teams to support medically and socially complex patients through safe, coordinated transitions from hospital to home and community, providing ongoing care management and support throughout the episode of care.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor's degree in social work, healthcare administration, nursing, public health, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
Minimum 2 years of experience in healthcare, care coordination, case management, social services, or a related field preferred.
Experience working with medically and socially complex patient populations, including knowledge of social determinants of health and community resource navigation.
Familiarity with home health, hospice, or post-acute care settings preferred, experience with hospital discharge planning or care transitions a plus.
Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred; the communities served include a significant Spanish-speaking population, and the ability to communicate directly with patients and families in their preferred language greatly enhances the effectiveness of this role.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build trust with patients, families, and clinical partners across diverse settings.
Ability to work independently in the field with minimal daily supervision while maintaining accountability to team goals and documentation standards.
Basic proficiency with electronic health records, care management platforms, or similar documentation systems; comfort learning new technology tools.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required; ability to travel locally in varying weather conditions.
Working knowledge of HIPAA and commitment to maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
Alignment with CareM's mission to bring out the courage in others — demonstrated through empathy, advocacy, and a genuine commitment to serving vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities

Identify patients being discharged from hospital settings who are appropriate for home health or hospice services and require transitional support due to medical or social complexity.
Coordinate directly with hospital discharge planners, case managers, and social workers to facilitate timely and safe transitions to home-based care.
Conduct post-discharge follow-up with patients and families to assess transition success, address barriers, and connect them with appropriate community resources.
Collaborate with home health and hospice clinical teams to ensure continuity of care plans and alignment of patient goals across the care continuum.
Assess patients' social determinants of health — including housing stability, transportation, food access, caregiver support, and financial barriers — and connect them with available resources.
Provide ongoing support and advocacy for patients and families navigating complex care systems for the duration of the care episode.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient interactions, referrals, follow-up activities, and outcomes in appropriate clinical and administrative systems.
Build and maintain relationships with hospital partners, community organizations, and social service agencies to support a robust referral and resource network.
Participate in interdisciplinary care conferences, Joint Operating Committee meetings, and other events to represent the patient's social and navigational needs.
Track patient outcomes and transition metrics to support quality improvement efforts and demonstrate program value.
Communicate proactively with care team regarding high-risk patients or barriers that may affect care outcomes or patient safety.
Educate patients and families on available services, care expectations, and how to access support after discharge.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support the home health and hospice transition-of-care program.
Maintain accurate documentation and timely data entry in appropriate systems
Communicate clearly with team members and community partners to support continuity of care
Participate in departmental meetings, trainings, and process improvement efforts
Maintain compliance with HIPAA and all company privacy and confidentiality standards
Foster a respectful, collaborative, and organized work environment in the field
Work independently with minimal daily oversight and demonstrate initiative in completing responsibilities
Provide courteous, timely, and professional customer service to internal and external stakeholders
Exhibit adaptability to changing responsibilities and flexibility in completing assignments
Possess basic computer proficiency and use of technology in daily responsibilities
Adhere to all organizational policies, including job descriptions, mission, and the Employee Handbook
Communicate and interact professionally and respectfully with others to support team goals
Perform all other duties as assigned and as required to effectively discharge the responsibilities of the position and are in the best interests of the company