Community Health Patient Navigator

Help DC residents get the care they need—when they need it.

What if helping someone get a recommended screening wasn’t just about scheduling an appointment, but about removing the barriers that might otherwise keep that person from getting lifesaving care?

At DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA), we are working to create healthier communities and a high-quality, integrated health care system where every DC resident has a fair chance at a full and healthy life. Through our member health centers, comprehensive primary care reaches 1 in 4 Washington, DC residents, with more than 1 million visits each year.

We are looking for a Community Health Patient Navigator to join our growing patient navigation initiative and help make that mission a reality.

The Opportunity

As a Community Health Patient Navigator, you will help patients, particularly those who face greater barriers to care, navigate the health care system, complete recommended screenings, follow through on referrals, and access the diagnostic and treatment services they need.

You will be a trusted resource and often one of the first people patients turn to for information and assistance. Whether you're helping someone schedule a screening, coordinating transportation, explaining what to expect at an appointment, connecting a patient with community resources, or following up to make sure an abnormal screening result receives appropriate care, your work will directly impact patient health and outcomes.

This is a hands-on role that combines patient support, care coordination, community health, population health, and quality improvement.

A Unique Partnership Model

This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of two organizations. You will be employed by DCPCA and placed on site at a partner Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). You will work closely with health center providers and staff while also supporting DCPCA's program and grant goals.

Success in this role requires someone who can build strong relationships, manage competing priorities, work independently, and keep both DCPCA and the host health center informed and aligned.

What You'll Do

Connect patients to care

• Help patients schedule and complete cancer screenings, diagnostic services, referrals, and treatment.
• Follow up with patients through calls, texts, and inperson interactions to encourage completion of care.
• Explain health care processes and help patients feel more comfortable and prepared.
• Identify barriers—including transportation, insurance, language, and other challenges—and connect patients with appropriate resources.
• Provide education and support related to cancer screening and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Put evidence-based strategies into action

• Use provider reminders and patient outreach campaigns to increase completion of recommended screenings.
• Develop and implement patient textmessage campaigns for reminders and followup.
• Provide pointofcare education during clinic visits.
• Participate in community and clinic events that promote preventive care and screening.

Improve population health

• Use patient registries and caregap reports to identify patients who are due for screenings or followup.
• Track patients from screening through diagnostic resolution and treatment.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and use tools such as PlanDoStudyAct (PDSA) cycles to test and improve workflows.
• Track patient outcomes and contribute to program evaluation and grant reporting.

Use data and technology to support better care

• Document patient navigation activities, communications, and referrals in the electronic health record.
• Use population health tools to identify care gaps and monitor progress.
• Use CRISP, DC's health information exchange, to support care coordination.
• Maintain accurate information in Excel and other tracking systems.

Build partnerships

• Develop trusted relationships with providers, health center staff, community organizations, and other health care partners.
• Participate in DCPCA and health center meetings, trainings, and stakeholder activities.
• Balance priorities and deliverables across both DCPCA and the host health center.

What We're Looking For

You may be a great fit for this role if you are someone who:

• Has 25 years of experience in health care clinic operations, ideally in a primary care setting.
• Has an associate or bachelor's degree in public health, social work, health care, or a related field—or equivalent relevant experience.
• Understands basic public health, primary care, and population health concepts.
• Has experience working with an electronic health record; eCW experience is strongly preferred.
• Understands concepts such as care gaps, patient registries, preventive screening, and referral followup.
• Is comfortable working with data and has basic Excel skills.
• Communicates effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Builds relationships easily and works well with physicians, clinical staff, patients, and community partners.
• Is highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Can work independently, take initiative, and adapt in a fastpaced health care environment.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and a genuine commitment to helping patients access the care they need.
• Understands the importance of HIPAA, patient privacy, and confidentiality.

You’ll Stand Out If You Have:

• Spanish or another bilingual/multilingual capability.
• Experience working in or with an FQHC.
• Handson experience with eCW, Relevant, and/or CRISP.
• Experience as a community health worker or patient navigator.
• Experience supporting quality improvement initiatives or grantfunded programs.

Work Environment & Location

• Hybrid work environment with regular onsite work at the partner FQHC and periodic inperson meetings at DCPCA.
• Occasional local travel to partner sites, trainings, community events, and between the FQHC and patients' homes.
• Must reside within the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

This is a grant-funded position through September 2027, with continuation dependent upon renewed funding.

DCPCA also provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 403(b) match, ancillary benefits, access to Flexible Spending Accounts, and generous leave benefits.

If you're passionate about community health, enjoy building relationships, and want your work to make a tangible difference in the lives of DC residents, we'd love to hear from you.

About DC Primary Care Association

Since 1996, DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA) has set the course for high quality, sustainable, accessible primary health care for all in the District of Columbia. From day one, DCPCA been at the forefront of strengthening the District’s primary care system. Through numerous advocacy efforts and resource development programs the organization has expanded and improved primary health care services for residents.