JOB PURPOSE:
The Patient Navigator provides peer support and patient-centered service coordination to individuals living with HIV/AIDS to improve engagement, retention in care, and treatment adherence. The position supports clients in navigating the HIV medical system in accordance with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service standards, including linkage to care, adherence support, barrier reduction, and documentation requirements.
Essential Job Functions include, but are not limited to:
1. Satisfies Core Competencies
• Accepts responsibility for ensuring that performance meets the standards of the professional, ethical, legal and Ryan White-funded service requirements
• Adhere to the Ryan White Standards of Care, confidentiality requirements, data reporting expectations and agency policies in the provision of services to clients
• Demonstrates cultural competency and commitment to serving diverse communities, including populations disproportionately affected by HIV.
2. Patient Navigation:
• Meet with newly diagnosed and out-of-care clients to provide peer support or re-engagement in HIV care.
• Provide follow-up to new clients once they have been assigned a case manager – including phone, clinic-based, community-based, and home visits.
• Assist clients in navigating the HIV system of care, co-occurring medical needs, and related systems such as mental health, housing, benefits, and supportive services.
• Conduct ongoing contact with clients, including phone and face-to-face visits with clients.
• Maintain and submit required documentation.
• Work collaboratively with staff to plan and implement client-centered supports including case managers, medical providers, and behavioral health staff—to improve health outcomes and reduce barriers to care.
• Participate in all appropriate meetings, including community meetings on client’s behalf.
• Promote medical and treatment adherence and increased involvement with self-care by accompanying clients on medical appointments.
• Assisting clients in addressing barriers such as transportation, appointment navigation, and access to supportive services.
• Participating in community meetings, multidisciplinary case conferences, or cross‑agency coordination activities as appropriate.
• Encourage community involvement.
• Report any significant concerns to supervisor promptly.
3. Reporting and Program / Staff Development:
• Document all services, contact, and care coordination activities in the client record in accordance to Open Health Care Clinic policies and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A documentation and reporting requirements.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation for billing and grant compliance purposes.
• Track client appointment attendance, follow-up needs, linkage outcomes, and outreach efforts in accordance with Ryan White expectations for retention-in-care activities.
• Complete (16) hours of HIV orientation training, (24) hours of annual training, and an additional (12) hours of training during their first year in the role including Ethics and Boundary, Sexual Harassment, Peer Support, Mentorship, Public Safety and Outreach
4. Other Duties:
• Adhere to departmental policies, procedures and objectives
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement objectives
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with all federal and state health information privacy laws.
• Other duties as assigned
5. Workforce Development:
• Responsible for maintaining up-to-date knowledge, skills, and abilities
o Attends and participates in in-service, monthly staff meetings, continuing education offerings, community training events, conferences, and webinars as appropriate
Required Education:
• High School diploma required or General Educational Development (GED) certificate
Skills, Licensure, and Knowledge Requirements
• Knowledge or experience working with persons living with HIV or special populations including transgender individuals.
• Must have current valid LA driver’s license
• Ability to pass an auto insurance carrier review required.
• American Heart Association BLS certification required.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR).
• Familiarity with CAREWare or similar HIV care management systems.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, and time management.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and empathy.
• Experience working with HIV, public health, or vulnerable communities.
• Prior peer support or community outreach experience preferred.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting is required.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
Travel or Special Requirements:
Driving during the workday, as well as local or out-of-state travel, may be required to perform job duties.