Patient Health Navigator

For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.

FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.

Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others.  FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.   

The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.

Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) is looking for Health Navigator –  as a Health Navigator you are under limited supervision, provides direct and indirect patient services to support linkage and maintenance in care, including completion of internal and external referrals, for the assigned program(s). Duties may vary depending on specific assignment, but in addition to direct patient interaction, may include patient quality improvement projects, improving retention in healthcare, or other health areas. Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team and deals with a diverse group of customers, patients, and visitors, as well as internal contacts at all levels of the organization. May have assigned caseload of clients. Engages in team approach to client care, and may coach, mentor, or lead teammates on special projects.

Responsibilities:

• Acts as a liaison between internal and external customers, including patients, other FHCSD service staff and other service providers, for the purpose of improving patient/client quality of care and flow.
• Completes all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and thoroughly in accordance with department standards; in addition, documentation complies with all grant funder and patients' insurance requirements Works in collaboration with all members of the healthcare and departmental program on retention in care, appointment completion and identifying barriers to care (i.e.: QI Projects, Case Reviews).
• Engages in patient interactions via telephone and in person to identify and meet patient needs, including provision of assisted and unassisted referrals, resources and follow-up; depending on patients presenting needs.
• Performs general clinical tasks, as assigned, which may include filing, processing paperwork, data entry, scanning/photocopying, agenda creation and minutes, encounter reports, scheduling and similar tasks.
• Uses discretion during all interactions to answer both routine and complicated questions; forwards issues to appropriate person. Handles confidential and routine information.

Requirements:

• High School diploma (or GED equivalent) required.
• 2 years of experience delivering health education, preferably in a community health setting.
• Specific Certifications may be required or preferred depending on assignment (i.e., CA HIV Test Counselor, limited CPT certification for waived testing, lactation certification, etc.)
• Meet organizational driver requirements.

Rewards:

• Job type: Regular Full Time
• Competitive Salary with Excellent Benefits
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off, Extended Sick Leave and Paid Holidays
• Medical/Dental/Vision/FSA/Life Insurance
• Employee Discounts and Wellness Programs
• Sponsoring Employer with an Equity Investment Company that can assist you with your down payment for purchasing a home

FHCSD was founded by community activists working towards a common goal: caring, affordable, high-quality medical care for all. We are proud to continue this mission today as we provide accessible services to over 210,000 patients across San Diego County. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to community medicine and providing culturally competent care to the medically underserved.

We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is:

$22.00 - $27.74

Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net)

FHCSD provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.