Patient Navigator

EHS Overview:

Episcopal Health Services Inc. (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. EHS provides inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care to the diverse populations of the Rockaways, Five Towns, South Nassau, and beyond. The system offers comprehensive preventive, diagnostic, and rehabilitative services to people of all faiths.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission’s Health Facilities Accreditation Program and is approved by the New York State Department of Health. The hospital is a recipient of the Gold-Plus Get with the Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Achievement Award and the Gold-Plus Get with the Guidelines®-Heart Failure Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. Additionally, St. John's is proud to be redesignated as a Baby-Friendly® Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA – the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States.

Come Grow With Us!

Type: Full-Time (75 hours biweekly)

Shift: Days: Wednesday - Sunday

Hours: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Pay: $35.55 - 44.12 per hour depending upon years of experience

Job Summary:

The Patient Navigator identifies and supports emergency department treat-and-release patients who have no or inadequate linkage to primary care. The position promotes timely follow-up, addresses barriers to care, connects patients and families with needed health and social-service resources, and documents care-navigation activities. 

Responsibilities:

• Identify or receive referrals from ED, Social Work, Care Management, and clinical providers for treat-and-release patients who have no or inadequate linkage to primary care


• Meet with and interview patients at the bedside to assess primary care engagement, assigned provider status, previous primary care visits, patterns of accessing care, and understanding of primary care as the first contact for non-emergent, chronic, and preventative care


• Identify barriers to appropriate primary care, including lack of insurance or underinsurance, transportation, financial circumstances, health literacy, language, cognitive or physical limitations, and limited caregiver or family support


• Assist with referrals to financial counselors for determination of Medicaid eligibility and application for Medicaid or other insurance coverage


• Ensure patients, families, and caregivers understand discharge instructions and the need for primary care and/or specialty follow-up; use empathy, patient education, and motivational interviewing skills to encourage adherence


• Use the Health Information Tool for Empowerment (HITE) and/or other public and institutional directories to connect patients and families with needed health and social-service resources, including financial and food assistance, housing, mental health and substance-use services, youth and family services, health care, immigrant support, and senior services


• Arrange primary care and, when indicated, subspecialty follow-up appointments within the treating physician's prescribed timeframe and no later than 30 days and ED discharge; confirm convenient location, insurance eligibility, transportation access, and need for financial counseling


• Ensure patients leave the ED with the date, time, contact information, and map for follow-up primary care services; contact managed care plans at the bedside to change the assigned care physician when required; document scheduled appointment details in the electronic medical record and discharge paperwork


• Contact patients within 48 hours after ED discharge to confirm prescription pickup, contact the pharmacy when necessary, reinforce follow-up appointments, identify unresolved or new barriers to adherence, and provide education and empathy


• Maintain an active worklist of follow-up calls and an ongoing patient database containing baseline and outcome metrics for review and analysis with the project manager and Population Health leadership


• Perform all responsibilities in accordance with applicable policies, safety standards, confidentiality requirements, person-centered care principles, and EHS ICARE values (Innovation, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Empathy)

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years recent Health experience in a professional setting, working with psychiatric population, preferably with experience in care coordination, psychiatric social work inpatient, psychiatric emergency department, outpatient mental health or community crisis and response team preferred


• BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field


• Knowledge of patient navigation processes, appointment and referral coordination, healthcare terminology, community resource referral, confidentiality requirements, and basic data entry practices


• Knowledge of HIPAA and Privacy requirements


• Demonstrates knowledge of SDOH, Health Equity, and Cultural Awareness


• Excellent telephonic and interpersonal communication skills


• Demonstrates a capacity to work collaboratively in a team setting, with an ability to listen to others, participate actively, and take appropriate responsibilities


• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, knowledge and understanding of patient care and effectively respond to changing patient needs by making decisions based on ethical principles and adhering to high standards of excellence