Patient Navigator
About The Position
Harmony Health is a Tribally owned wellness clinic serving Native and Non-Native patients with substance use disorders through whole-person care, including primary care, infectious disease care, and mental health care. The Patient Navigator supports the clinic in Perris, California, and reports to the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Manager, working in collaboration with clinic leadership and OTS leadership. The Patient Navigator is a compassionate first point of contact for people entering opioid treatment and substance use disorder services. The position guides patients through intake and admission, gathers registration details, provides emotional support, and coordinates connections to services such as housing, transportation, food assistance, and medical care. The role also includes administrative entry and cross-coverage for front office reception or medical assistant duties when needed. The successful candidate maintains a culturally humble, optimistic, and non-judgmental approach while supporting patients beginning recovery.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED equivalent.
- At least 1 year of professional administrative, medical office, patient navigation, or social services experience.
- Active American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to obtain it before the start date.
- Proficiency with EHR systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Windows environments, and data entry platforms.
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology, healthcare front-office workflows, and insurance verification, including Medi-Cal/Medicaid.
- Ability to pass background screening, drug screening, and applicable state, federal, or tribal credentialing requirements.
- Ability to provide health clearance and tuberculosis (TB) clearance.
- Valid driver's license.
- Deep empathy, active listening skills, and an optimistic, customer-first mindset.
- Accuracy and attention to detail in data entry and patient record-keeping.
- Ability to remain calm, focused, kind, and supportive in emotionally demanding or high-stress situations.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage resource connection and intake navigation simultaneously.
- Flexibility and willingness to work across front-office, administrative, and clinical support roles.
- Commitment to patient dignity, non-judgmental care, privacy, and cultural humility.
Nice To Haves
- At least 2 years of patient navigation, case management, or intake experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting, OTP/MOUD facility, or behavioral health clinic.
- Knowledge of traditional forms of governance, tribal customs, and Native American cultural traditions.
- Experience collaborating with community partners, social service agencies, and legal or probation systems.
- Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Guide patients through intake and registration, providing a welcoming admission experience.
- Enter referral details, income verification, and insurance coverage information in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Schedule medical, clinical, and counseling appointments for new and returning patients, and track attendance, cancellations, and no-shows.
- Connect patients with primary and specialty care, housing referrals, and transportation support.
- Build, update, and maintain a local community resource database covering social service agencies, food banks, housing providers, and harm-reduction networks.
- Coordinate care with local emergency rooms, probation officers, jail authorities, and external service providers.
- Participate in community health fairs, outreach events, and local workshops to raise awareness of clinic resources and intake processes.
- Maintain professional relationships with current and prospective referral sources.
- Collect body fluid samples, oral toxicology swabs, and urine specimens for admissions and ongoing treatment monitoring.
- Administer delegated point-of-care screenings, including pregnancy tests, TB skin tests, and breath alcohol testing.
- Label, log, and package specimens for laboratory courier pickup or shipping.
- Cross-train and provide coverage as a Medical Assistant or Front Office Receptionist, including patient check-in, phone management, and administrative duties.
- Advocate for patients and families navigating recovery while maintaining a patient-centered, trauma-informed environment.
- Protect confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and organizational policies on records and releases of information.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members, providers, counselors, and external agencies.
- Follow safety, infection control, and emergency protocols and adapt to operational updates.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for continuing education and professional advancement.
- On-the-job training and cross-training.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
