Latino Patient Navigator working with oncology patients

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Job Summary: The Patient Navigator for the Latino community will guide patients and their families through the oncology health care system, with special attention to the cultural concerns and needs of that population. Working with both newly diagnosed patients and those that have established care at BIDMC, the Patient Navigator will identify barriers to care, assist with access issues, develop relationships with the Cancer Center staff, keep communication open with staff, patients, and caregivers to coordinate services within the Cancer Center, at outside facilities, and within the community. The navigator will maintain up-to-date information about community resources, support groups and programs that support Latino cancer patients and their families. The navigator will track how patients are helped and will use information to help oncology leadership to develop and maintain programs and services. This position will also provide Community Resource Support for other patients being seen in the oncology department

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Engages cancer patients and families and makes them aware of information, resources, support programs and services. Assists in helping patients to access culturally appropriate, supportive care.
2. Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with the social work and Cancer Center professional staff to ensure communication and smooth handoffs as patients move through the system. Refers patients with specifically identified needs to oncology social workers, nursing, or other multidisciplinary Cancer Center staff.
3. Assists patients to find local housing. Works cooperatively with community housing and lodging groups with an emphasis on Hope Lodge, Hospitality Homes and BIDMC Social Work Department lodging lists.
4. Identifies gaps in resources and barriers to care. Works with SW leadership and community groups to bridge those gaps.
5. Contributes to the updating and maintenance of on-line and print resource guides.
6. Maintains accurate, confidential records documenting numbers of patients served, services provided and unmet needs.
7. Maintains patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
8. May perform other duties, as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

1. High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Nursing, or Health related field preferred.
2. 1-3 years related work experience required.
3. Bilingual in Spanish. Experience working in medical settings and interacting collaboratively with healthcare teams. Thorough knowledge of health care systems. Knowledge of medical terminology.
4. Knowledgeable about the breadth and accessibility of community resources, including those that pertain to the Latino community.
5. Ability to prioritize workload, handle multiple tasks and to work independently with limited supervision. Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as active listening skills. Strong customer service, problem solving, relationship building and advocacy skills. Must possess ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in stressful situation.
6. Experience with computer systems required, including web based applications and some Microsoft Office applications which may include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Access.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience working with oncology patients and families.
2. Experience in community outreach is desirable.
3. Compassionate, articulate and patient. Demonstrated self-starter with the ability to use sound judgment and work in a fast paced environment.Compassionate, articulate and patient. Detail oriented.

Competencies:

1. Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are based on specific instructions, standard practices and established procedures which generally require little or no supervision.
2. Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation using direct observation, knowledge and skills based on general precedents.
3. Independence of Action: Ability to follow precedents and procedures. May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines. Seeks assistance when confronted with difficult and/or unpredictable situations. Work progress is monitored by supervisor/manager.
4. Written Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English with internal and external customers.
5. Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.
6. Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate full working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.
7. Team Work: Ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members.
8. Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

Age based Competencies:
Employees in this job must be competent to provide patient care to the following age groups: Young adult: 16-30 years, Middle Age: 30 - 60 years, Elderly: 60 -.
Physical Nature of the Job:
Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Some elements of the job are sedentary, but the employee will be required to stand for periods of time or move through out the hospital campus

Pay Range:

$25.00 - $37.50

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law.  Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled