Clinical Health Navigator I/II

La Clínica de La Raza Inc.; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Community involvement opportunities

Job summary

La Clínica de La Raza Inc. is seeking a Clinical Health Navigator to join their HIV services team in Oakland, California. This role involves conducting outreach, aiding in HIV/STI testing, and supporting patients in accessing care and resources.

The ideal candidate will have experience in HIV-related work, strong communication skills, and a commitment to community health. This position entails managing appointments, providing education on HIV, and maintaining thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant fields, preferably in HIV-related work.
• Strong understanding of HIV/STI treatment protocols and social determinants of health.
• Knowledge of LGBTQI+ issues and SOGI.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and HIV testing to identify new HIV patients.
• Provide ongoing support to ensure retention in HIV medical care.
• Maintain accurate documentation in EPIC and manage appointment scheduling.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

High School diploma or equivalent (GED)

Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field

Job description

About La Clinica de La Raza

La Clinica de La Raza is a non‑profit, community‑based health center established in 1971 to address health barriers and create better lives for the underserved. With 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County, we serve a diverse population. For more information, visit www.laclinica.org.

Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Clinical Health Navigator to join our HIV services team. In this critical role, you will conduct outreach, perform HIV and STI testing, facilitate linkage to long‑term preventive care, and support individuals living with HIV in accessing appropriate medical services. You will coordinate appointments, charting, laboratory services, pharmacy needs, and ongoing follow‑up to prevent gaps in care.

Key Responsibilities

• Comply with La Clinica policies, ethical and professional standards, and HIPAA regulations.
• Conduct outreach and HIV testing to identify new HIV patients.
• Serve as the primary contact for newly diagnosed and out‑of‑care HIV positive patients and navigate them into medical care, including registration, appointments, labs, pharmacy, and referrals.
• Provide ongoing support to ensure retention in HIV medical care, following up to prevent lapses and assist with appointment reminders.
• Conduct initial psychosocial assessments for HIV‑positive patients entering care and provide clinical navigation support for enrollment, insurance, pharmacy, and other needed resources.
• Deliver comprehensive education on HIV, including adherence, resistance, viral load, and U=U.
• Assess patients’ needs for gender‑affirming care and provide referrals.
• Collect and coordinate laboratory specimens, including HIV/STI testing, and ensure results are reviewed and communicated with the medical team.
• Coordinate STI test collection, processing, and result delivery; schedule follow‑up appointments and assist patients who test positive or reactive for STIs.
• Maintain accurate documentation in EPIC, including charting, scheduling, reviewing test results, and updating care plans.

STI and HIV Prevention

• Conduct community outreach and facilitate HIV/STI testing through specimen collection.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for community members seeking or referred for HIV/STI services.
• Provide comprehensive education on HIV and STI prevention, including PrEP and PEP options.
• Assist community members in accessing long‑term HIV or PrEP care.
• Identify patients requiring gender‑affirming care and refer appropriately.
• Collaborate with patients to develop individualized care plans and connect them with needed services.
• Assess immediate needs and barriers for new and ongoing patients, ensuring continuity of care.
• Conduct regular follow‑ups with PrEP patients to monitor adherence, provide reminders, and reinforce routine HIV/STI testing every 2–3 months.
• Assist patients in scheduling appointments with PrEP providers.

PrEP/PEP Responsibilities

• Engage in outreach to identify and connect with potential PrEP/PEP candidates, including MSM, transgender individuals, and others at increased risk, following CDC guidelines.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all patients receiving biomedical prevention services at La Clinica.
• Facilitate linkage to PrEP/PEP services and support timely initiation of care.
• Assess patients’ immediate needs and address barriers to adherence and retention.
• Provide ongoing follow‑up with PrEP/PEP patients to monitor medication adherence, medical appointments, and STI testing as part of comprehensive preventive care.
• Evaluate patient needs for gender‑affirming care and provide referrals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of HIV/STI treatment protocols and social determinants of health.
• Familiarity with healthcare systems, insurance, and referral processes.
• Knowledge of various electronic systems and platforms.
• Proficiency in HIV testing procedures.
• Experience in clinical patient navigation.
• Knowledge of LGBTQI+ issues and SOGI.
• Clinical documentation practices and psychosocial assessment.
• Gender‑affirming care knowledge.

Skills

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Effective communication with diverse populations.

Abilities

• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to multitask and manage a dynamic workload.
• Ability to follow directions and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working in medical settings and outreach environments.
• Understanding of verbal and written English and required local languages.

Education and Experience

Clinical Health Navigator I

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant fields is highly preferred.
• Experience in HIV‑related work and/or a healthcare setting is highly preferred.

Clinical Health Navigator II

• Bachelor’s degree in a health‑related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant field is highly desired.
• Experience in HIV‑related work and/or a healthcare setting is highly desired.

Degree Substitutions

• High School Diploma or GED, plus 6 years of relevant work experience.
• Associate’s Degree, plus 4 years of relevant work experience.

Certifications

Required Certifications

• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate – must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• HCC Certification (HIV Care positions only) – to be obtained within 60 days of hire.
• ADAP Enrollment Certification (HIV Care positions only) – to be obtained within 60 days of hire.
• PrEP Navigation Certification (PrEP Navigators) – to be obtained within 60 days of hire.
• HIV/HCV Certification (California State) – to be obtained within 60 days of onboarding.

Highly Preferred Certifications

• Community Health Worker Certification.

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods; may also include walking for prolonged periods.
• Bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, adjusting, or moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds in all directions, occasionally more.
• Repeating motions that may include the neck, wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Upper extremity demands: reaching above shoulder and/or below waist.