Patient Navigator Specialist

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental plans

Vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is seeking a Patient Navigation Specialist- Vision to help patients overcome barriers to care and access comprehensive vision services. You will work at the eye clinic front desk, assist with appointments and referrals, and support insurance enrollment and patient education in a trauma-informed setting.

Responsibilities include coordinating transportation, assisting with eye exams and imaging, and ensuring accurate data entry in the electronic health

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of healthcare front desk experience preferred.
• Experience with insurance enrollment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for patients, clients, and visitors in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive manner.
• Register patients, verify insurance, create health records, and schedule appointments in the EHR.
• Coordinate transportation and assist with eye exams and specialty referrals.
• Assist Ophthalmic Assistant with screening, VA testing, and imaging as needed.
• Enter orders and manage patient data accurately within clinic workflows.
• Document follow-up and treatment compliance and support care coordination.

Skills

Customer service

Patient advocacy

Communication

Bilingual English/Spanish

Data entry

Scheduling

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

1 year healthcare front desk experience preferred

Job description

This position will be posted for a minimum of 5 days

Coalition Mission

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for families, children, and individuals who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness throughout Colorado.

The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

Our Philosophy of Service

We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and healthcare are available to everyone.

We Create Lasting Solutions To Homelessness By

• Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities, and fostering their hope that a better life is possible;
• Building strong, caring, and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care, and supportive services;
• Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion, and diversity and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve;
• Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation, and professional development;
• Using resources judiciously and effectively.

Position Summary

The Patient Navigation Specialist- Vision assists patients in overcoming barriers to care and ensures access to comprehensive vision services. This position serves in the front desk role for our eye clinic, assists patients in obtaining and keeping specialty appointments for care at outside organizations, and performs basic vision screenings to help triage patient care. The role contributes to CCH’s mission by addressing barriers related to transportation, specialty referrals, and health education while fostering a trauma-informed, patient-centered approach.

Duties/Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Serves as the first point of contact for patients, clients, visitors, and vendors, providing a professional, trauma-informed and culturally responsive experience.
• Independently initiates and complete comprehensive client registration processes, including verifying insurance coverage, creating health records, scheduling appointments, and accurately entering client data into the electronic health record.
• Conducts insurance status verification and connects clients to internal insurance enrollment resources when necessary, ensuring continuity of care and financial accessibility.
• Assist patients with scheduling eye exams and specialty referrals. Arrange transportation and assist clients in arriving at appointments on time.
• Drive and escort patients to specialty referrals for advanced procedures or surgeries that would seriously impair their vision.
• Support clinic operations and patient flow by assisting the Ophthalmic Assistant with basic ophthalmic services, including patient screening, visual acuity (VA) testing, taking retina photos, Visual Field, and OCT testing.
• Perfom optical-related duties, including eyeglasses adjustments, fitting, and repairs. Plus, entering orders into our system.
• Coordinate care activities with the eye clinic team and providers, including volunteer physicians and specialists. Document patient follow-up and treatment compliance using established clinic workflows.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Education, Experience And Job Competencies

• Education
  • High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience
  • One year of experience in a healthcare setting, preferably in eye care, preferred.
  • Experience with insurance enrollment, clinical or healthcare front desk operations strongly preferred.

Job Competencies

• Strong customer service and patient advocacy skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with patients, providers, specialists, and community resources.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and data tracking.
• Ability to identify and address barriers to care and connect patients with appropriate resources.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations while maintaining professionalism, empathy, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based healthcare environment.

Department Overview & Requirements

• Department Description: The Vision Services department provides comprehensive eye care for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Services include eye exams, glaucoma testing, provision and repair of eyeglasses, and patient navigation for specialty referrals and surgical care. The department operates within the integrated model of the Stout Street Health Center, collaborating closely with medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy teams to ensure coordinated, trauma-informed, and patient-centered care.
• Location: 2130 Stout St Denver CO- Stout Street Health Center
• Schedule: 7:30 AM to 4PM
• Driving Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record for the last 2 years.
• Language Requirements: Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, CCH provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Company.

• Physical Demands

Percentage of work time spent on activity →

0% - 24%

25% to 49%

50% to 74%

75% to 100%

SEEING: Must be able to read computer screens and printed documents.

HEARING: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with employees and others.

STANDING/WALKING: x

CLIMBING/STOOPING/KNEELING: x

LIFTING/PULLING/PUSHING: x

GRASPING/FEELING: Must be able to write, type and use telephones.

DRIVING: Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Working Conditions
  • Work primarily in a clinical setting.
  • Exposure to infectious diseases and handling of medical equipment.
  • Regular interaction with diverse and marginalized populations.

Frequent interpersonal interactions with clients who may present with complex medical, behavioral health, or social needs.

Coalition Benefits

We offer a full suite of benefits for our eligible employees and their dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage.

• Health Insurance - HMO or PPO
• Dental plans, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement savings matching
• Extensive paid time-off, including holidays, sick leave, and vacation

The effective date for your benefits will be the first of the month following your date of hire.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. CCH is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status or any characteristic protected by law.