Patient Navigator (On-Site) - Community Engagement & Education

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and one year of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience relevant to the role may be considered for this position.

*May require licensure or certification specific to the service line the position is assigned to.

***This position does not require an RN license. UTMB also offers a Patient Navigator (RN) role for licensed Registered Nurses, which has a different scope of responsibilities and pay range.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bilingual, English/Spanish, is highly desirable.

Job Summary:

The Patient Navigator plays a vital role in supporting patients throughout their healthcare journey by providing individualized assistance to help them access, understand, and utilize healthcare services effectively. This position focuses on reducing barriers to care by coordinating appointments, facilitating communication between patients and providers, and connecting patients to community resources and support services. The Patient Navigator works closely with clinical teams to ensure timely follow-up, promote patient engagement, and improve health outcomes, particularly for those managing complex or chronic conditions.

Job Duties:

• Conducts comprehensive assessments of patients in person, by phone, or through review of medical records to identify barriers to care and support care coordination. 
• Coordinates care and services by scheduling appointments, procedures, and follow-ups across multiple departments and providers to ensure timely access to care.
• Communicates with patients and families to explain procedures, answer questions, and provide guidance through the care process, ensuring understanding and comfort.
• Serves as a liaison between patients, providers, and support staff to promote effective communication and facilitate resolution of issues affecting care delivery.
• Reviews clinical referrals and documentation to verify appropriateness, completeness, and readiness for service-line evaluation, collaborating with care teams as needed. 
• Assists patients with navigating healthcare systems by connecting them to community resources, financial counseling, transportation, and other support services. 
• Maintains accurate documentation in electronic health records and other systems to ensure continuity of care and compliance with institutional policies. 
• Advocates for patients’ rights and needs, ensuring that care is delivered in a culturally sensitive, respectful, and patient-centered manner. 
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop, implement, and monitor individualized care plans that support optimal health outcomes.
• Participates in performance improvement efforts, attends staff meetings, and stays current with relevant policies, procedures, and best practices in patient navigation.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure. 
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrates core competencies required to perform patient navigation duties safely and effectively, as assessed through regular training and performance evaluations. 
• Proficient in using multiple computer systems, including electronic health records (e.g., EPIC), scheduling platforms, and office productivity software to document, track, and communicate patient information accurately. 
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team, while providing excellent customer service to patients, families, and colleagues. 
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