Patient Navigator - ACCESS Blue Island

Access Community Health Network; Blue Island (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group in Illinois seeks a Patient Navigator to support patients with recent diagnoses or positive test results by connecting them to social support and primary care. The role emphasizes empathetic counseling, coordinating care, and helping patients access necessary services in a patient-centered setting.

You will conduct home visits, document encounters, and collaborate with care teams while maintaining accurate records to support seamless patient care.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree or higher strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients in navigating the healthcare system and explain treatment plans.
• Organize and manage appointments with healthcare providers to ensure timely care.
• Collaborate with providers, care coordinators, and nurse case managers to improve adherence to recommendations.
• Connect patients to community resources and ensure access to services.
• Document patient encounters and eligibility information in data systems.
• Conduct home and community visits following established policies.

Skills

Patient communication

Care coordination

Documentation

Education

Associate degree or higher

Tools

EPIC EHR

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary:

The Patient Navigator plays a critical role in supporting patients by developing and implementing individualized, multi-session, time-limited interventions to assist those with recent diagnoses or positive test results. This position focuses on connecting patients to essential social support services and primary medical care while providing personalized, condition-specific counseling and referrals in a safe and empowering manner.

Core Job Responsibilities:

• Assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, including scheduling appointments, completing paperwork, and explaining treatment plans.
• Organize and manage appointments with healthcare providers and professionals to ensure timely and comprehensive care.
• Collaborate with providers, care coordinators, and nurse case managers to enhance patient adherence to healthcare recommendations.
• Connect patients to community resources, such as medical care, medication assistance, and other healthcare services, and ensure these services are accessed.
• Establish and maintain a strong working relationship with ACCESS Care Team members to support seamless patient care.
• Accurately document patient encounters and preliminary eligibility information in organizational and program-specific data systems.
• Conduct home and community visits face-to-face in accordance with established policies and workflows.
• Assist with special programs and events to support organizational objectives.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive participant records, tracking all contacts and service connections.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational goals and priorities.

Requirements/Preferences:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate's degree or higher is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience in human services required.
• Experience in infectious disease care and support services, outreach, health promotion, or related fields is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to assess diverse psychosocial needs of clients and patients.
• Basic proficiency with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and EPIC preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).