Patient Navigation & Outreach Specialist

Location: Augusta, ME,None,None

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Health Educator III

Opening Date: April 17, 2025 

Closing Date: May 1, 2025

Job Class Code: 4374

Grade: 23  (Pro / Tech)    

Salary: $49,275.20 - $69,139.20 per year

Position Number: 02000-2396

Location: This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.

-Anticipated Vacancy-

The Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) coordinates the delivery of breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up diagnostic services to underserved women statewide. MBCHP is a small but mighty team of six who work together to make our program shine.  We are looking for an impact-maker who wants the work they do every day to have a direct impact on the health outcomes of Mainers.  As the MBCHP Patient Navigation & Outreach Specialist, clear and thoughtful communication skills are vital as you will assist women as they are trying to navigate stressful health challenges and are in need of compassion, patience, and sensitivity to the subject matter of cancer and female anatomy. You will be making independent decisions on the appropriate processes to follow and actions to take in accordance with grant requirements, standard practices, and laws relevant to the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and the Maine Treatment Act. 

Core Responsibilities:

This position functions as the Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) Patient Navigation and Outreach Specialist with overall responsibilities including:
•    Providing Maine Treatment Act education to women diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer and serving as the lead staff to determine the eligibility for coverage under the Maine Treatment Act.
•    Monitoring and requesting client data/records from providers as required by the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) federal grant.  
•    Educating and assisting MBCHP clients with accessing covered screening and diagnostic services within the MBCHP Provider Network.
•    Supporting MBCHP providers to perform covered screening and diagnostic services as defined by NBCCEDP and MBCHP policy and procedures.
•    Assessing all MBCHP clients with reported abnormal screening results for clients’ need for case manager/patient navigation services.
•    Monitoring all MBCHP clients by evaluating reported abnormal screening results to facilitate approved diagnostic follow-up services ensuring complete and timely access to crucial services.
•    Supporting program outreach efforts to educate and inform MBCHP clients who are past due or have never been screened on the US Preventive Services Task Force screening recommendations and assist with scheduling services as needed.  
•    Providing resources to MBCHP clients to reduce barriers to accessing screenings, diagnostic services, and treatment to improve health outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Community Health Education, Health Education and two (2) years’ experience in community or health education program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Directly related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred candidates will also have:
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills
•    Ability to gather, synthesize, and summarize a variety of information
•    Experience educating and supporting women who are navigating a life-threatening health diagnosis   
•    Experience with communicating basic women’s health terminology to a non-medical audience   
•    Knowledge of breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic terminology
•    Experience coordinating patient care and education with health providers

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

Agency information: 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and su