Lead Resource Specialist

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer research institution seeks a Lead Resource Specialist to provide essential resource assistance to patients and families. This full-time role involves coordinating programs, supervising staff, and ensuring quality patient support. The position requires strong communication and organizational skills, along with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 5 years related experience in healthcare or human services.
• 2 years of experience precepting colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates resource assistance for patients and families.
• Conducts financial assessments for resource eligibility.
• Supervises Co-Op students and Resource Specialists.

Skills

Customer Service

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Problem-Solving

Cultural Sensitivity

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration

Tools

Google Docs

MS Office

Job description

The Lead Resource Specialist is responsible for the delivery of resource assistance and guidance to families of patients being treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This includes delivery of concrete resource services such as short-term accommodations, parking, patient assistance, and transportation; referrals to appropriate local, state, and federal assistance programs; as well as help with applications for assistance to non-profit foundations. Reporting to the Adult Resource Office Supervisor, the Lead Resource Specialist is responsible for the coordination of a variety of programs that directly support the Resource Office. The Lead Resource Specialist trains and orients Resource Specialist I and II positions, interviews, hires, onboards, and supervises Northeastern Co-Op students, manages the daily short-term accommodation list and carries a reduced workload.

This position is full time, Monday through Friday with scheduled hours of 8:30am - 5:00pm. The Lead Resource Specialist works a hybrid schedule of 2 days on-site and 3 days remote. DFCI guidelines state that employees must reside in New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Assumes responsibility for and collaborates on special projects including updating standard operating procedures, satellite patient assistance and/or serving on committees, relevant to the Resource Specialist role.
• Interviews, hires and onboards, and supervises Co-Op or other students.
• Assists Supervisor in coordinating weekly Resource Office meeting agendas settings.
• Assists Supervisor with training and orientation of new hires.
• Provides coverage for other Resource Specialist Leads within the Office as needed.

Longwood Campus:

• Responsible for daily operational oversight of the short-term accommodations program, including coordination of daily hotel lists, and daily communication with hotels.

Satellite Campuses:

• Responsible for oversight of satellite gift card processes (requests and donations), in collaboration with patient assistance coordinator.

Resource Specialist Responsibilities:

• Conducts assessments of patients' financial status/eligibility for concrete resource assistance.
• As a member of a multidisciplinary team, assists patients in securing assistance through skillful matching of needs to available resources.
• Arranges assistance whenever possible for concrete resources such as short-term accommodations, parking, and transportation.
• Makes timely referrals for patients to assistance and appropriate resources both within the hospital and through agencies, programs, and foundations in the community.
• Ensures patients and their families navigate internal and external systems and serves as liaison between hospitals and the resource community.
• Provides detailed record-keeping, which may include the following: Progress notes in the patient's medical record, documentation in a resource database tool, Lodging reservations, and correspondence with members of the care team and with community resources.
• Consistently scans internal and external environment to research and track new and available concrete resources for patients and families.
• Communicates resource specific information directly to patients or, as appropriate, their family members.
• Collaborates with social workers and other members of the care team as needed.
• Provides coverage for other Resource Specialists within the division as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Yes, Co-Op students report directly to the Lead Resource Specialist.

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma required.

Minimum Experience:

• 5 years related experience as a Resource Specialist or in healthcare, human services, education, or related field.
• 2 years of experience precepting colleagues and/or program coordination.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor?s degree in healthcare administration, human services, education, psychology, sociology, or related field preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

License/Certification/Registration:

N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated mastery of high customer service and patient- and family-centered orientation; ability to demonstrate empathy in difficult situations.
• High level of cultural sensitivity and cultural humility. Strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communications skills, including on the phone and in writing.
• Advanced ability to communicate with all members of a multi-disciplinary team and promote and engage in relationship-building.
• Advanced ability to interface with adults of varying ages.
• Attention to detail and record-keeping, including high proficiency in "closing the loop".
• Ability to work independently.
• Advanced ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced ability to multi-task and capable of problem-solving complex issues through both creative problem-solving and strong analytical skills.
• Strong proficiency with online applications including Google Docs and MS Office, particularly Outlook, Excel, and Word.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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