Healthcare Navigator

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking a Healthcare Navigator to provide patient-centered support to individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families. The role focuses on overcoming barriers to treatment, coordinating care, and improving communication with medical teams.

The on-site position at USC Health Science Campus in Los Angeles requires proactive, organized professionals with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2 years in healthcare navigation, case management, oncology support, or community health.
• Knowledge of women's cancers and community resource networks.
• Ability to work with diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Canva, Endnote.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for cancer patients and caregivers throughout treatment and follow-up care.
• Assist patients in understanding treatment options and available support services.
• Identify and address barriers to care including financial hardship, language access, housing instability, transportation, insurance, and psychosocial needs.
• Provide emotional support and connect patients and families with counseling and community resources.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, and other team members to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient interactions, referrals, and care coordination activities.
• Educate patients and caregivers about healthcare systems, insurance, patient rights, and financial assistance programs.
• Advocate for patient needs and culturally competent care practices.
• Participate in outreach activities and community engagement initiatives as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA and USC policies and procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Cultural competence

Grants experience

Multilingual preferred

Data handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing / Public Health / Communications / Education / Sociology / Psychology / Social Work

Tools

Microsoft Office

Canva

Endnote

Job description

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking a Healthcare Navigator. Working directly under the supervision of the Associate Director at the office of Community Outreach and Engagement, the Associate Director works closely with USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Director.

The Healthcare Navigator for cancer centered services provides compassionate, patient-centered support to individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families or care takers, and patient advocates throughout the continuum of care. The navigator assists community members including patients and their families in overcoming barriers to treatment, accessing community resources, understanding care plans, coordinating appointments, and improving communication with medical providers. This role serves as a key advocate to ensure timely, equitable, and culturally responsive care.

The successful candidate will be motivated, pro-active, resourceful, and detail-oriented. The position requires excellent organizational and communication skills with the ability to be decisive and adaptable.

Essential job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for cancer patients and caregivers and/or family members throughout treatment and follow-up care and/or inclusion into clinical trials.
• Assist patients in understanding treatment options, medical instructions, and available support services.
• Identify and address barriers to care including financial hardship, language access, housing instability, transportation, insurance, and psychosocial needs.
• Provide emotional support and connect patients and families with counseling, support groups, and community-based resources.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, and other interdisciplinary team members to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient interactions, referrals, and care coordination activities.
• Educate patients, caregivers and/or family members regarding healthcare systems, insurance coverage, patient rights, and available financial assistance programs.
• Advocate for patient needs and culturally competent care practices.
• Participate in outreach activities, health education programs, and community engagement initiatives as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA and USC policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Communications, Education, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in healthcare, healthcare navigation, case management, communication, oncology support services, or community health.
• Knowledge of Women's cancers
• Knowledge of community resource networks.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and resourcefulness
• Ability to work on grants to enhance patient experience
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Canva and Endnote.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive cases and topics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated affinity for diplomacy and the ability to cultivate and maintain relationships at all levels.
• Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to multi-task effectively and demonstrate strong organizational skills.
• Sound judgment and decision making
• A cooperative and team-oriented attitude
• Effective facilitator in various settings
• Experience working specifically with oncology or chronic disease populations.
• Certification in Patient Navigation or Community Health Work preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities strongly preferred, especially Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, Armenian, or other languages commonly spoken within the catchment area.
• Experience working in community-based organizations, hospitals, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), or nonprofit healthcare settings.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive service delivery.
• Familiarity with Medicaid, Medicare, and financial assistance programs for cancer navigation.

Follows established USC and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.

This position is on-site and employee must report to work at the USC Health Science Campus in Los Angeles, CA when scheduled. Work hours and on-site days may be subject to change depending on business needs.

The hourly rate range for this position is $39.10 - $50.01. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 2 years

Minimum Skills: Experience providing medical/clinical guidance. Advanced judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills, able to work independently with minimal supervision. Data gathering and analysis skills. Excellent time management skills. Demonstrated interpersonal, negotiation and problem-solving skills. Experience in customer service. Practiced use of discretion and decision-making ability. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Proven ability to build and maintain deep and meaningful relationships with community members and outside agencies.

Preferred Education: Related undergraduate study And Specialized/technical training

Preferred Certifications: BLS/CPR Certifications in CPR, basic life support and/ or mental health first aid.

Preferred Experience: 2 years

Preferred Skills: Demonstrated experience in community healthcare and/or street medicine. A current understanding and appreciation of the cultural vibrancy and historical significance of local communities in Los Angeles and Southern California. Extensive knowledge and/or understanding of numerous cultural issues (e.g., immigration, socioeconomic, LGBTQIA+). Fluent in one or more languages in addition to English (e.g., Spanish, Korean, American Sign Language).