Patient Navigator-The Libertas Center for Human Rights

The Libertas Center for Human Rights at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY is seeking a Patient Navigator to support the delivery of culturally responsive, trauma-informed services to clients at a treatment center for immigrant survivors of torture and other human rights violations. The Patient Navigator reports to the Operations Director and works in close collaboration with the Data & Program Coordinator, Executive Director and Clinical Director. 

The Patient Navigator is a trusted member of the refugee and migrant community who supports clients in navigating health care and community systems. Drawing on lived experience, cultural knowledge, and language skills, the Patient Navigator helps clients feel welcomed, understood, and empowered as they engage in medical, mental health, and social services. Patient Navigators provide hands-on support during orientation, accompany clients to appointments as needed, and help them access community resources. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, they play a key role in building trust, reducing barriers, and ensuring care is culturally responsive and trauma informed.

The Libertas Center is a grant-funded program under the Department of Emergency Medicine at Elmhurst Hospital, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a teaching hospital for the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The Libertas Center provides immigrant survivors of torture and human rights violations in the New York City area with comprehensive medical, mental health, social and legal services to help them heal, regain independence, and restore hope and humanity in their lives. We use a strengths-based, client-centered and trauma-informed case management approach to provide services directly on-site and through coordination with our partners within and outside the hospital. The Libertas Center also builds capacity through education and training of medical and mental health providers, conducts research on best practices, and advocates for policies to address survivors’ needs. Our team uses its multidisciplinary expertise and an evidence-based approach to improve the well-being and quality of life for this vulnerable yet highly resilient population. 

The Libertas Center is seeking a Patient Navigator to support the implementation of a new grant, focused on specialized eligible immigrant populations including refugees and asylees. The overarching project goal is to sustainably expand access to comprehensive, culturally responsive health and wellness services, through the delivery of health education, case management, and wellness groups that promote physical, mental, and social well-being. The position is funded through September 30, 2026, with the possibility of extension.

The responsibilities of the Patient Navigator include, but are not limited to the following:

Patient Navigation and Support

• Serve as the assigned Patient Navigator for a panel of clients.
• Maintain regular contact with assigned clients to ensure understanding of care plans and follow-up needs.
• Accompany clients to appointments as needed and help explain visit logistics, referrals, and forms.
• Provide appointment reminders and follow-up check-ins to promote continuity of care.
• Identify barriers to care (transportation, language, fear, documentation, etc.) and work with staff to address them.
• Support clients in accessing social services and community resources (legal aid, housing, ESL, employment, food access).

Community Engagement and Health Education

• Co-facilitate orientation and health education groups for new clients.
• Share information about community-based programs and opportunities for social connection.
• Promote participation in wellness, client support, and community activities.
• Liaise with local refugee and migrant organizations to identify clients for referral to Libertas services and build connections for community referrals.

Care Team Integration

• Participate in case discussions and team meetings, sharing insights from patient interactions and community perspectives.
• Document encounters in accordance with program protocols and confidentiality standards.
• Communicate with clinical team staff to ensure coordinated support for assigned clients.
• Contribute to program evaluation and quality improvement activities.

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent

  Experience Requirements 

• Lived experience as a refugee, asylee, or migrant
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with empathy, professionalism, and discretion
• Fluency in English and at least one language spoken by the clinic?s patient population (e.g., Spanish, French, Bangla, Fulani, etc.).
• Commitment to supporting others and fostering trust in healthcare and community systems.
• Experience working or volunteering in a community, social service, or health setting.
• Familiarity with NYC community resources and basic understanding of healthcare navigation.
• Comfort working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Detail-oriented, organized and reliably able to conduct tasks without the need for significant oversight.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to address challenges of a wide variety with creativity, initiative, and resourcefulness.

• Maturity, ability to calmly and respectfully navigate challenging situations, and successfully meet responsibilities with professionalism.

• Proven ability to work as a team player and be responsive to guidance and feedback while maintaining a positive work environment.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced collaborative team, where time management and effective communication are essential.

• Demonstrated cultural humility and responsiveness with immigrant communities and/or other vulnerable populations, and a willingness to examine topics of power and structural oppression.

• Demonstrated interest in learning about strengths-based case management and trauma-informed health care. 

• Familiarity with human rights and/or global health fields.

Non-Bargaining Unit, 870 - Emergency Medicine - ISM, Icahn School of Medicine