Peer Navigator, Street Medicine - San Fernando Valley

Healthcare in Action; California; On-site; USD 30,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus program

Wellness program

PTO

11 paid holidays per year

401(k) Retirement Saving Plan with ERG

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Healthcare in Action seeks a Peer Navigator to support unhoused members through education, housing/resource navigation, and self-management coaching in the San Fernando Valley. You will assist with medications and supplies, connect to local services, and advocate for members’ needs.

This patient-facing role requires outdoor work, strong communication, and coordination with the Navigation Center and HIA team. A valid driver's license and travel are required.

Qualifications

• G.E.D./High School, required plus 3+ years of work experience.
• Associate's degree preferred plus 2+ years of work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred plus 1 year of work experience.

Responsibilities

• Build rapport with members and motivate behavior changes.
• Coach members to implement strategies addressing health risks and connect to programs.
• Link members to local services and assist with meds and supplies as needed.
• Conduct outreach to onsite Nav Center patients and offsite patients as needed.
• Provide accompaniment to medical, dental and other appointments.
• Collaborate with Navigation Center staff and HIA team for care management.
• Promote self-management and document data in HMIS/ECM systems.
• Schedule encounters based on member acuity level using EHR.
• Work under supervision of a Social Worker for case escalation.
• Support housing placement efforts for unsheltered members.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-management coaching

Education

GED/HS

Associate degree preferred

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

HMIS / Coordinated Entry System

Job description

At Healthcare in Action, we serve patients experiencing homelessness through an innovative “street medicine” approach by contracting with Medicare and Medicaid health plans as well as hospitals and health systems.

Street medicine entails using a medically equipped van to deliver medical care directly to people experiencing homelessness in locations such as parking lots, encampments, and parks.

The Peer Navigator supports members who are experiencing/ are at risk of experiencing homeless with managing their own health in the San Fernando Valley area. Assist in motivating behavioral changes in patients to improve health outcomes through education, peer support, housing & resource navigation, and the relaying of shared experiences.

Enhanced Care Management (ECM) is a statewide Medi-Cal benefit under the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. ECM provides a whole-person approach to care for high-need Medi-Cal beneficiaries, focusing on both clinical and non-clinical needs. The program includes a Lead Care Manager (LCM) who coordinates all healthcare-related needs and social services, advocating on behalf of the member. ECM aims to improve health and social outcomes by offering comprehensive care management and coordination services.

Responsibilities Include

• Build rapport with members by communicating personal experiences with a goal of increasing the likelihood of positive behavior changes.
• Coach members to create and implement strategies that minimize risks associated with the identified common health conditions and behaviors. Connect members to appropriate programs to address barriers to care and to enhance compliance.
• Link members to local, county and state services/resources. Follow up with members and serve as a member advocate, delivering their medications and other supplies as needed.
• Conduct regular outreach to onsite patients at Nav Center as well as to offsite (as needed) patients to provide support for medical needs.
• Provide accompaniment and support to patients for their medical/dental/other appointments.
• Collaborate actively with staff of the Navigation Center as well as with HIA team members for care management of patients.
• Introduce tools to promote self-management & self-efficacy. Complete all required organization and health plan specific documentation in a timely fashion. Some examples include and are not limited to the following: enter all patient touch points and encounter notes in HIA’s electronic health records system, member health risk, and update members’ Plan of Care after every street medicine encounter. Document all required information in the care management system during phone calls with members. Complete and submit a Monthly Audit Checklist assessment, individual care plans, and update member profiles in the Coordinated Entry System/HMIS.
• Schedule encounters based on member’s acuity level using the Healthcare in Action electronic health record system.
• Work under the supervision of a Social Worker to ensure proper escalation of cases and coordination of care.
• We seek Rebels who are curious about AI and its power to transform how we operate and serve our members.
• Actively support the achievement of HIA’s Vision and Goals and particularly housing placement for unsheltered members.
• This position is a patient-facing role.
• Employees may be eligible for differential pay.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Experience

• G.E.D./High School, required plus 3+ years of work experience as defined below.
• Associate's degree preferred plus 2+ years of work experience defined below.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred plus 1 years of work experience as defined below.
• Work Experience to include direct work experience, lived experience, training or volunteer work with patients experiencing homelessness, as well as those with active mental health and substance use conditions.
• Other demonstrated relevant experience in similar community settings, for example, working with other disadvantaged groups, and/or outreach will be considered.
• A comparable combination of education/experience and/or training will be considered equivalent to the education listed above.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, outdoors environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to organize effectively.
• Ability to prioritize multiple and competing tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including articulating one’s own relevant personal experiences.
• Excellent oral communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills.
• Maintenance of reliable transportation
• Proficiency in operating a computer, including logging into and maneuvering around multiple systems such as online timesheets (time and attendance) and call center software.
• HMIS/ Coordinated Entry System, preferred.
• Travel 50% or more- Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, automobile insurance, reliable transportation, and clean driving record.

Tuberculosis Screening Policy

To ensure the health and safety of our members, if you are selected for this position, your job offer with HIA will be contingent on providing proof of Tuberculosis screening upon hire or providing proof of a negative screening within the last year. If you have a disability/medical reason or sincerely held religious belief that prevents you to provide information required in this policy, HIA will initiate and engage in the interactive process to evaluate what, if any, reasonable accommodations may be available.

What's in it for you?

• Base salary range: $21.78 to $31.15 per hour
• An annual employee bonus program
• Robust Wellness Program
• Generous paid-time-off (PTO)
• 11 paid holidays per year, plus 1 additional floating holiday
• Excellent 401(k) Retirement Saving Plan with employer match.
• Robust employee recognition program
• Tuition reimbursement
• An opportunity to become part of a team that makes a difference to our members and our community every day!

At Healthcare in Action, we believe that it is our business to improve the state of our world. Each of us has a responsibility to drive Equality in our communities and workplaces. We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects our community through inclusive programs and initiatives such as equal pay, employee resource groups, inclusive benefits, and more.

Healthcare in Action is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affimative Action workplace. Individuals seeking employee will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by law. A background check is required.

At Healthcare in Action, we believe that it is our business to improve the state of our world. Each of us has a responsibility to drive Equality in our communities and workplaces. We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects our community through inclusive programs and initiatives such as equal pay, employee resource groups, inclusive benefits, and more.

Healthcare in Action is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affimative Action workplace. Individuals seeking employee will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by law. A background check is required.

Healthcare in Action was established in 2021 as a 501 (c)3 organization and associated medical group. Utilizing mobile clinics staffed by healthcare professionals, community health workers, and social workers, our teams travel directly to unhoused individuals living in communities across the geographies we serve, providing services where they reside – including tents, cars, shelters, and temporary housing. In meeting patients where they are and supporting their goals, HIA team members build trust – critical component that can lead to meaningful and positive changes in health and housing. Our mission is to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness through quality holistic care. It is our vision that all people experiencing homelessness have access to quality healthcare that addresses their mental, social and physical health needs.