Patient Care Navigator

Company: MyMichigan Health
Location: Midland
Posted on: August 4, 2022

Job Description:

Summary A patient care navigator renders assistance to patients and professional staff, within an assigned department or centralized geography, in support of improving care access, care transitions and coordination of patient care resources. This role works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members who manage medically or socially complex patient panels. The patient care navigator will actively engage with patients and caregivers both in the practice/clinic and over the phone using critical thinking and communication skills to identify barriers that may be impacting the patients ability to achieve optimal health. Patient health care navigators facilitate timely access to medical care, and link patients, families to professional and community resources to enable patients to become active participants in managing their own care. The patient care navigator provides additional support/education and navigation to both clinical and community resources for patients recently discharged from the hospital and emergency department. This role may meet with patients at locations outside of the MidMichigan Health campus, including the patient's home or a community location. They may also assist with coordinating patient appointments, medical prior authorizations, and conducting patient outreach post discharge and/or for patients who are challenged with meeting patient appointments. Patient care navigator will work collaboratively with the care manager to optimize clinical efficiency. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (60%)* Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to identify social risk factors that may be hindering patients from meeting their health care goals. Completes required clinical screenings to assist with identification of patient's risk factors. Links patients to the community and medical resources needed to address social determinants of care and/or barriers to health care goals. Coordinates medical appointments, assists patients in addressing their barriers to medication regimen adherence, actively works with patients to increase adherence to scheduled appointments, and coordinates follow up with non-clinical services such as transportation, home health, homeless shelters, home meal delivery, etc. Maintain appropriate documentation of patient contact, referrals made and services provided. (20%)* Effectively and professionally, completes the appropriate work flow & documentation for all assigned patients. Communicates all urgent concerns regarding patient care needs to appropriate care team members in a timely manner. (15%)* Educates patients on appropriate utilization of healthcare resources. Contributes to the development and management of the patient care plan by actively collaborating with care manager, provider and other team members based on patient interactions. (5%)* Participates in process improvement projects and specific clinical tasks as assigned to improve patient access. OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The patient care navigator role will contact patients recently discharged from the medical center or emergency department to (inpatient/ED) follow up, patients with significant no show rates to identify any barriers related to patients reaching their goals. Assist patients who require clearance (authorization) prior to scheduling appointments. Assist patients who require specialty care through directly booking appointments where authorized or through working with individual specialty departments to schedule appointments. Assist patients with education on obtaining community resources to remove their barriers for health care. Contacts patients who have missed two medical appointments in order to facilitate future compliance. Works with patients to understand their challenges with attending patient visits and assist them with securing and meeting a plan to overcome their obstacles. Effective customer service and communication skills required. Provides education to patients for health care and community resources. Demonstrate clinical competencies on an annual basis. REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND SKILLS High School Diploma or equivalent required. As required by Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to be employed through MidMichigan Health all Medical Assistants must possess one of the following active certification/licensure: Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologist (AMT) Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) OR equivalent Medical Assistant Credential such as (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CCMA, etc.). Prefer completion of a Medical Assistant program through an accredited organization. Medical First Responder, Emergency Medical Tech Basic/Specialist, or Paramedic through the State of Michigan. Registered Radiologic Technologist through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Possess Basic Life Support certification within 30 days of hire or transfer date Driver's License and Vehicle Insurance Must have access to reliable transportation; hold a valid Michigan driver's license and vehicle insurance. Must provide updated insurance document every 6 months Assists in maintaining a clean and safe environment for patients and co-workers. If applicable, maybe required to travel to satellite clinics and travel to patient's home or to community resources. Maintains a high level of confidentiality and ensures patient's rights in accordance with proper procedures and in compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act). May assist with completing tasks to address the patient's health care plan, which to overcome barriers such as completing forms, corresponding with community organizations and/or other medical care providers. Follows all MidMichigan Health policies and adheres to the current Electronic Medical Record (EMR) workflows to ensure documentation is able to be easily accessed by other team members and reportable for quality initiatives. Provides for the age specific needs of the population served according to department standards and policies/procedures as evidenced by observation, documentation and peer feedback. Ability to be empathetic and resourceful to all patients regardless of their social and/or medical complexities. Multi-tasking skills and ability to facilitate messages, complaints, and urgent calls as appropriate. Ability to work collaboratively with internal/external health care team members and navigate through the health care system. Navigators must be able to thrive in a moderately paced, urgent need, complex health care environment where the incumbent works as a key, valued member of the multidisciplinary team. Ability to carry out written and verbal instructions. Ability to review reports and interpret information for prioritization of duties. Ability to exercise judgement in the application of professional services. Ability to communicate effectively and serve as a contact person for community partners who have questions about the continuity of care process or need assistance/trouble shooting for their referred patients. Practices within the scope of the medical certification. Performs other related duties as assigned. MidMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MidMichigan Health.

Keywords: MyMichigan Health, Midland , Patient Care Navigator, Other , Midland, Michigan