Patient Navigator

Washington, DC | On-Site | $25.96 - $26.92 per hour | Washington Post Top Workplace (8x Winner)  

Community of Hope is seeking a Patient Navigator to provide individualized, culturally competent support to help patients overcome barriers to care and access needed resources.  The Patient Navigator will guide patients through various aspects of the healthcare system, promote informed decision-making, support chronic disease self-management, and help improve access to quality care and overall quality of life. This is a full-time position located at our Conway Health and Resource Center in SW DC.

Our Approach and Values 

We celebrate people’s strengths and acknowledge the impact of trauma on people’s lives.   

We embrace diversity, welcome all voices, and treat everyone with respect and compassion. 

We lead and advocate for changes to make systems more equitable. 

We strive for excellence and value integrity in all that we do. 

What You'll Do

• Supports and advocates for patients in attaining home health services by submitting home health requests to appropriate agencies on behalf of patients and providers. Follows up regularly to ensure timely processing of requests.
• Works with pharmacies’ staff in order to stay up to date on forms and authorizations required for common insurance programs and shares this knowledge with COH clinical staff as needed.
• Processes durable medical equipment requests and coordinates distribution of supplies (e.g. asthma equipment - nebulizers and chambers, pressure kits, mobility aids, continuous glucose monitors)
• Educates patients on medical transportation benefits and service utilization, schedules patient transportation for medical appointments as needed, and works with patients and medical providers to complete applications for Metro Access.
• Investigates patient assistance programs and facilitates applications, including supporting documentation, for submission to identified programs; engages in regular follow up to ensure smooth processing of documents.
• Supports group education programs by outreaching to patients, preparing materials, and working to ensure that group education participants have care needs met.
• In conjunction with primary care and emotional wellness providers, coordinates refills and prior authorizations for MAT (medication assisted treatment) medications for program participants
• Coordinates home blood pressure management initiative by enrolling patients in online patient portal system and mobile app, supporting patient education needs, and ensuring completion of satisfaction surveys.
• Maintains a working knowledge of key community resources, including food banks and clothing pantries, and provides information to patients as needed.
• Documents all patient interactions and billable services in eCW or other systems per policies and protocols. Patient Navigator activities must be documented at a minimum the same day they are performed.
• Completes other tasks as requested by supervisor.

Must-Haves

• High school diploma, G.E.D, or equivalent experience. 
• At least two years’ work experience. 
• Valid BLS Certificate.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to show empathy, and ability to interact professionally and gain trust within a culturally diverse environment.
• Prior experience working with community resources and social services in D.C.
• Ability to approach patient support with asocial determinants of health lens understanding the impact medical, social, and environmental disparities have on patient health self-management; ability to support patient needs with empathetic cultural awareness.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Computer skills and proficiency in the use of electronic medical record and organizational communication software (Microsoft Suite).
• Ability to travel between COH sites or relocate to a different COH site on a full- or part-time basis.
• Proven ability to work effectively in team environment.
• Proof of required vaccinations is required.  This includes, but may not be limited to, Flu. COH will consider requests for reasonable accommodations for anyone who cannot be vaccinated for a religious or medical reason, subject to applicable law.

Nice-to-Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Prior experience in public health or human services and/or community clinic or similar role.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish, English/French or English/Amharic) strongly preferred.

Why You'll Love Working Here! At COH, we prioritize the following well-being and work-life balance-centered benefits:

• 8 x Washington Post 150 Top Workplaces winner.
• 8-hour workdays with paid lunch.
• 3 weeks vacation (additional week after two years), 2 weeks sick leave, + 11.5 paid holidays and one personal floating holiday on an annual basis.
• Annual performance-based raises, up to 5% of your annual pay.
• Tuition reimbursement & loan repayment (NHSC & DCHPLRP), Licensing reimbursement & CEU funding.
• Medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance + 403(b) retirement.
• Leadership development, internal promotions and career growth opportunities.
• A culture grounded in equity, compassion, and well-being.

About Us

Community of Hope is a mission-driven, innovative, rapidly growing nonprofit, and Federally Qualified Health Center. For over 45 years, we have provided health and housing services, perinatal care coordination, and community support services to make Washington, DC more equitable. Community of Hope also strongly emphasizes maternal and child health, with midwifery practice and the only free-standing birth center in DC. We are honored to be one of DC’s largest providers of housing and homelessness prevention services for families and individuals throughout DC. Through our Family Success Center, our WIC nutrition centers, and our various partnerships, we have reached hundreds and believe that everyone in DC deserves to be healthy, housed, and hopeful. With the help of our amazing staff, we have successfully provided:

• 50,000+ medical visits
• 6,300+ dental visits
• 17,000+ emotional wellness visits
• 1,384 families and 220 individuals with housing/homelessness prevention services

Ready to bring hope and health to our DC community? Apply today! To request a reasonable accommodation to complete an employment application or for general questions about employment with Community of Hope, contact a Recruiting Coordinator. Email: [email protected] Phone: 202-407-7747. Community of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.