Early Childhood Patient Navigator

Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is seeking a Patient Navigator to support infants and toddlers with hearing loss and their families. This role coordinates diagnosis, EI enrollment, and access to hearing technology, while guiding families through timelines and available resources in a family-centered approach.

You will partner with clinicians across audiology, speech-language pathology, and EI services to ensure timely, coordinated care and empower families in decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with clinical social work training.
• Experience in social work, case management or related field preferred.
• Knowledge of Early Intervention (EI) and pediatric care pathways is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide family-centered care coordination from diagnosis through EI enrollment.
• Advise families on hearing loss options and timelines.
• Collaborate with audiology, speech-language pathology, and EI providers.

Skills

Care Coordination

Patient Advocacy

Communication Skills

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Management

Bachelor's Degree in Related Field

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Case Management Software

Scheduling Systems

Job description

Site: Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryMass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.Job SummaryResponsible for working closely with infants and toddlers (birth–3) who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families to ensure timely, coordinated, and family-centered care. The Patient Navigator supports families in accessing diagnostic, hearing technology, and Early Intervention services in alignment with Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) benchmarks, while reducing barriers and improving caregiver understanding and engagement.Does this position require Patient Care?NoEssential Functions-Advocate for patients and their families, ensuring their needs and preferences are considered in the care planning process.-Serve as a liaison between patients, healthcare providers, and other relevant stakeholders.-Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team including audiology, speech-language pathology, and early intervention providers to coordinate patient care services, appointments, and follow-up plans.-Assist patients in understanding and adhering to their care plans with emphasis on early childhood hearing loss and intervention timelines.-Identify and connect patients with appropriate healthcare and community resources, such as support groups, financial assistance programs, and transportation services.-Educate patients and their families about their medical conditions, treatment options, and self-care strategies.-Ensure that patients are informed and empowered to actively participate in their healthcare decisions.-Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of patient interactions, care plans, and resource referrals.Role-Specific Responsibilities-Provide longitudinal support to families of children birth–3 following diagnostic AER through Early Intervention enrollment.-Meet with caregivers after diagnosis and at regular intervals to support follow-up and care coordination.-Provide counseling on hearing loss, communication options, and intervention pathways.-Guide families through the Pediatric Hearing Healthcare Roadmap.-Coordinate referrals and services with Early Intervention (EI) agencies and Deaf/Hard of Hearing specialty providers.-Support adherence to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) timelines for diagnosis and intervention.-Screen caregiver needs and facilitate referrals (e.g., social work, MGB providers).-Monitor caregiver stress and adjust support accordingly.-Track appointments and proactively follow up to reduce missed visits and delays in care.-Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies (e.g., MCDHH, DPH, EI programs).-Maintain documentation, case tracking, and required Releases of Information.-Participate in regular case review meetings and contribute to care planning.QualificationsEducationBachelor's Degree Clinical Social Work required or Bachelor's Degree Healthcare Management required or Bachelor's Degree Related Field of Study requiredCan this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?YesLicenses and CredentialsExperienceSocial work, case management or related field preferably in a clinical setting 1-2 years preferredPreferred Qualifications-Experience working with infants and toddlers (birth-3), particularly in Early Intervention settings-Background in deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) services-Familiarity with Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines and timelines-Experience providing caregiver counseling or family-centered support following a new diagnosis-Knowledge of communication modalities and intervention options for children who are deaf or hard of hearing-Experience coordinating care across medical, educational, and community based systemsKnowledge, Skills and Abilities- Strong knowledge of healthcare resources, community services, and patient advocacy.- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.- Ability to collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines and experiences.- Strong organizational and time management skills.- Familiarity with electronic health records and case management software.Additional Job Details (if applicable)Remote TypeOnsiteWork Location243-245 Charles StreetScheduled Weekly Hours40Employee TypeRegularWork ShiftDay (United States of America)Pay Range$23.34 - $33.37/HourlyGrade5At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.EEO Statement:5110 Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.Mass General Brigham Competency FrameworkAt Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.