Patient Navigator

University Hospital, Newark; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 61,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital is seeking a Patient Navigator to advocate for patients and guide them through the healthcare system. This role involves managing referrals, enhancing patient access, and collaborating with community groups to increase health awareness. Candidates should have a Bachelor's Degree and experience in patient advocacy. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Medical & Prescription Drug Coverage

Dental & Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance

Pension Plan

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Professional Development

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in a healthcare environment dealing directly with patients.
• Competence in patient advocacy and customer service roles.
• Familiarity with medical terminology required.

Responsibilities

• Guide patients through the healthcare system and manage referrals.
• Establish relationships with departments and community resources.
• Assist patients with appointment scheduling and problem-solving.

Skills

Patient Advocacy

Communication

Organization

Customer Service

Detail Oriented

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

About the Role

We’re looking for a Patient Navigator will be a patient advocate and will guide patients through the health care system, ensuring appropriate appointments are given in a timely manner through guidelines agreed upon with the Medical Director of the Practice/Department.

The Patient Navigator will assist with access issues, develop relationships with referring health care providers and ensure the complete and efficient management of all referrals, including the acquisition of necessary patient-care materials and medical records.

This individual will work with community groups to increase health awareness and provide health education. In addition, the Patient Navigator will track all new patient requests, provide monthly statistics and referring patterns. The Patient Navigator works closely with the patient care team and assists in the coordination of patient care by removing barriers that would otherwise prevent patients from receiving health care services.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Works to establish relationships and collaboration with other departments and resources within the community to facilitate patient access.
• Elicits patient clinical information to allow for appropriate scheduling of referrals. Refers to guidelines on how to triage and/or schedule emergent/urgent requests for specific diagnoses.
• Answers patient telephone calls. Correctly processes information for appointment scheduling, answers questions, and assists with problem solving. This includes, but is not limited to, triaging emergent/urgent phone calls, inquiries related to the availability of appointments, scheduled appointment dates and times, parking, directions, and general practice information. If necessary, transfers calls to an appropriate person or department to assist the patient.
• Reviews all patient demographic information, insurance information and referral numbers.
• Strong patient advocate: guides assigned patients through the health care system; helps patients arrive at scheduled appointments on time prepared.
• Actively identifies and addresses barriers to care that might keep the patient from receiving timely and appropriate treatment.
• Acquires all materials, including films, pathology reports, and laboratory reports necessary for each new patient visit. Ensures these records are available for clinicians prior to appointments, if requested, to determine appropriateness of referral.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, plus two (2) years of work experience in a healthcare environment dealing directly with patients, required.
• Candidates must be experienced and competent in a patient advocacy and/or customer service role. Some experience in an outpatient setting preferred. Familiarity with medical terminology required.
• Computer literacy with competence in Microsoft Office required.
• Years of experience and/or navigator training may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Must possess excellent communication skills, strong organizational skills and be detail oriented.
• Must be able to work independently and as a member of a team and work flexible hours.

Preferred:

• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus.
• Technical clinical experience and/or experience in the area of the practice (e.g., OB/GYN, Oncology, etc.) a plus.

What We Offer

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical & Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Development

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $61,039 – . $87,183 per year, in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Law; final compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

About Us

University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. As the principal teaching affiliate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the only state-certified Level 1 Trauma Center in Northern New Jersey, University Hospital is training the next generation of physicians and advancing science to discovery while taking exceptional care of patients, regardless of their financial situation.

Apply Today

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you want to grow your career in healthcare while serving a vibrant community, we’d love to meet you.

University Hospital offers a competitive salary & comprehensive benefits package. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V. For more information, visit www.uhnj.org/hrweb.