The Family Navigator provides field-based case management services to clients enrolled in Family Wellness Program. This person is the main point of contact for clients. The Family Navigator builds strong relationships with Regional Center families and individuals served/consumers in order to help clients stay engaged in medical care and adhere to their plan. A family navigator is as a middleman between the patient and clinical care staff. Family Navigators are committed to removing the clients barriers to care by identifying critical resources for clients, helping them navigate through health care services and systems, and promoting client health. They work closely with the Care Team to support positive client health outcomes.

Physical requirements:

Physical demands associated with office work

Extensive local travel

Some evening and weekend work may be required

Education: One primary benefits of a family navigator is providing expert information to patients and families. Often, patients learn about a diagnosis, and they rush to Google or their close friend, which only fills them with worry. A family navigator can provide expert education about the disease along with treatments.

Community resources: This benefit connects patients to community resources. For example, many families with new developmental disability diagnosis feel afraid and alone when they first receive the diagnosis. A family navigator can help find them support groups to attend to alleviate those feelings.

Provides clinical resources: The family navigator helps equip their patient/family with information about other clinical options that may not be available locally. They also can show a patient where to find a second opinion.

Monitors symptoms/behaviors: As a middleman between the patient and care team, the family navigator records a patients symptoms. For example, say the navigator notices a patients change in behavior. They can inform the LMFT or LCSW to run some tests or assessment tools to determine whats wrong.

Psychological assistance: When a patient feels distressed, they may reach out to the family navigator for help. The family navigator can provide comfort, support, and, refer them to a LMFT or LCSW for more support or additional visits.

Work in collaboration with: Family Wellness Coordinator, Clinical Director, health care providers (primary care physicians, nursing staff, mental health clinicians)

Duties and Responsibilities

Field-based direct care to consumers/families

Establishes close relationships with and serves as primary point of contact for clients

Touch-base/communicate with patients on a regular basis

Accompany clients to family wellness appointments, as needed

Deliver weekly or monthly health education and promote behavioral self-management to clients

Communicate with Care Team members (Family Wellness Coordinators, licensed counselor and other health care providers) to facilitate client care

Identify resources for clients to overcome barriers to care, such as transportation, housing, and childcare arrangements

Remain aware of current services offered by service providers, such as mental health, housing, and employment assistance

Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with agency policies

May meet with clients after licensed counselor appointments to review and update care plan with the Family Wellness Coordinator

Meet with Care Team (including, but not limited to, Family Wellness Coordinator and licensed counselor) to discuss client care issues and needs and facilitate client health care

Maintain documentation of all client encounters and complete reporting requirements according to organization standards

Track client information, schedules, files, and forms in a confidential manner

Track client attendance at medical appointments and patient navigation sessions and initiate outreach and missed appointment procedures, as necessary

May attend and represent the organization at professional conferences, in-service trainings, and meetings with the approval of supervisor

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Personal characteristics and skills:

Commitment to the mission of care coordination

Passionate, trustworthy, and empathetic when working with clients

Ability to build relationships with different types of people, including clients, organization members, and health care providers

Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to speak concisely to clients and Care Team members

Organized with confidential client material and appointment tracking

Flexible and adaptable in response to changing client and health care providers needs

Interest in working with families of consumers with developmental disabilities

Education and experience:

Minimum Bachelors degree

Strong understanding of cultural competency with the target population

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Computer literacy desirable

Exposure to issues of death and dying