Care Navigator

Healthier Kids Foundation; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Healthier Kids Foundation is seeking a Care Navigator in San Jose, CA to empower individuals and families in improving their health and well-being. You will serve as a trusted liaison, assisting clients in navigating health and social systems while providing essential resources such as housing and food access.

The ideal candidate will possess empathy, organizational skills, and a commitment to advancing health equity. Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• Community Health Worker Certificate required, or obtain one within 6 months of start date.
• Minimum of 18 months of experience supporting marginalized populations.
• Fluent in Spanish and culturally responsive.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake assessments and determine eligibility for ECM.
• Assist clients with Medi-Cal eligibility and health insurance.
• Connect clients to housing, food, and employment services.
• Lead care coordination for complex clients.
• Engage with clients to build health and wellness capacity.

Skills

Empathy

Organization

Community focus

Bilingual (Spanish)

Active listening

Problem-solving

Education

High school graduate or GED

Community Health Worker Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Job description

Description

The Care Navigator serves as a trusted liaison who empowers individuals and families to improve their health and well‑being. Through culturally tailored outreach and hands‑on support, the Care Navigator helps individuals and families navigate health and social systems, overcome barriers, and connect to essential resources such as housing, food, and employment. The ideal candidate is empathetic, organized, community‑focused, deeply committed to advancing health equity, and open to learning new skills and evolving with the role.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive intake assessments and determine eligibility for Enhanced Care Management (ECM); work with providers to assess client needs.
• Assist clients with Medi-Cal and other program eligibility, including coverage navigation and accessing their managed care plan benefits; connect uninsured clients with community resources for health insurance.
• Address barriers to health by identifying and connecting clients to services such as housing, food, transportation, and employment.
• Connect clients to health education and primary care providers to support prevention and management of chronic health conditions; connect clients with behavioral health services and programs.
• Coordinate and advocate with healthcare and social service providers on behalf of clients.
• Support clients with perinatal and maternal health needs by coordinating care and providing connection to resources.
• Build clients’ capacity to access community resources such as housing and food; monitor follow‑up to ensure access.
• Engage with clients in a culturally and linguistically responsive manner to ensure health and social services are accessible and aligned with clients’ preferences.
• Lead care coordination for clients with complex physical and behavioral health conditions; provide intensive case management including care planning and coordinating across providers and systems.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client, client’s family, authorized representative (AR), caregiver, or other authorized support person(s), as appropriate, and the multidisciplinary care team providing care to the client.
• Use client‑centered approaches, such as health coaching, to help individuals set realistic goals for improving their health and encourage and motivate them to reach those goals.
• Collaborate with clients and/or their parent, caregiver, guardian, and multidisciplinary team to develop comprehensive, personalized care plans based on clients’ needs to ensure a whole‑person approach is taken in identifying gaps in treatment or available services; monitor care plan progress with clients.
• Build clients’ capacity to access and navigate complex healthcare and community systems; follow up to ensure connection to services.
• Schedule and accompany clients to health and wellness appointments, and arrange transportation to appointments, as needed.
• Meet with clients in person, offering services where clients live, seek care, or in other preferred locations.
• Perform outreach to identify and engage members eligible for ECM services, including field visits, phone calls, and mailing information.
• Educate clients on wellness and prevention strategies and resources during one‑on‑one and group interactions.
• Utilize evidence‑based practices and tools based on organizational priorities and training.
• Promote trust and rapport with clients through empathy and consistent follow‑up.
• Communicate effectively with clients, interdisciplinary team members, and community partners.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate documentation of client services and referrals in the organization’s data systems with attention to billing requirements.
• Participate in case conferencing and meet regularly with the ECM clinical consultant to review care plans and receive case guidance.
• Complete ECM and other required training.
• Meet productivity and performance targets for outreach, member contacts, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with client privacy regulations and other confidentiality policies when handling client information.
• Operate in compliance with agency procedures and Medi-Cal guidelines for Enhanced Care Management services.
• Perform other duties as required by the needs of the organization.
• Participate in all required agency events.

Requirements

Education and Certification

• High school graduate or GED.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred for CHWs providing ECM services.
• Community Health Worker Certificate required, or obtain one within 6 months of start date.

Experience

• A minimum of 18 months working to support the health or social well‑being of marginalized, high‑risk, and underserved populations.
• Experience using a computer for documentation, communication, and organizing daily tasks, including Microsoft Office and databases.
• Lived experience that aligns with and provides a connection between the CHW and the Member or population being served.

Other Qualifications

• Fluent in Spanish.
• Cultural responsiveness and cultural humility.
• Client‑centered: active listening skills, empathy, and compassion for others.
• Ability to exercise judgment in carrying out job responsibilities.
• Strong organization and time management skills; ability to prioritize and work under pressure in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Interest in opportunities to grow and learn on the job.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and problem‑solving skills.
• Available for 8‑hour shifts at the worksite with start times 8:30‑10:00 am and end times 5:00‑7:00 pm, and occasional evening or weekend hours as needed.
• Ability to drive and have a reliable vehicle with car insurance.