Patient Health Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Patient Health Coordinator plays a key role in bridging medical, behavioral, dental, and social support services for patients at KC CARE. This role combines the functions of a Community Health Worker, Care Coordinator, and Health Insurance Navigator to ensure patients have seamless access to care, health coverage, and supportive services. Coordinators support and coach patients in managing their health, assist with enrollment into health insurance programs, and connect individuals with community resources to reduce barriers to care. By serving as a trusted link between patients, providers, and community agencies, Coordinators advance KC CARE's mission to provide suitable, whole-person, patient-centered care. 

KC CARE CULTURE CODE 

KC CARE follows a culture code in all we do. Our code determines how we work, treat each other, and move health equity forward. As an employee of KC CARE, you will: 

• • Put patients first, always

  • Treat all people with dignity, respect, and kindness

  • Create safe places for others to share their voice; encourage creativity.

  • Always strive for improvement; keep learning

  • Own your work, action, and mistakes – no one is perfect

  • Have fun – work should be fun and we want you to have fun at KC CARE 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Care Coordination & Patient Engagement 

• • Support and educate patients to improve engagement in healthcare, including health literacy training and resource education.

  • Assist with scheduling and coordination of medical, dental, behavioral health, and social service appointments.

  • Assist with medical, dental, behavioral health, and social service referrals to ensure continuity of care.

  • Conduct outreach and community engagement to connect patients to KC CARE and partner services.

  • Monitor client health, assess social barriers, and identify resources to address barriers. (e.g., social services, payment assistance, insurance navigation services, etc.)

  • Identify patient goals and partner with patients to track progress.

  • Screen for social determinants of health (e.g., housing, food, transportation, financial assistance) and connecting patients to appropriate services.

  • Help patients access interpreter services, transportation, and reduced-cost medication programs.

  • Represent KC CARE at community events, outreach activities, and collaborative meetings.

  • Assist at the front desk with registration, collecting documents, and ensure appropriate documentation in the EHR.

  • Communicate proactively with medical staff to ensure smooth clinic operations and/or to meet patient needs. 

Health Insurance Access & Enrollment 

• Assess eligibility for MO Health Net, KanCare, Medicare, Health Insurance Marketplace, and other public benefits. 

• Facilitate enrollment, provide education, and ensure patients can effectively utilize their coverage. 

• Conduct follow-up to prevent lapses in coverage and provide support for renewals and appeals. 

• Provide financial counseling to patients to include explaining the sliding fee scale application, setting up payment plans, counseling on insurance benefits, etc. 

• Accurately document all patient encounters in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and other reporting systems. 

• Monitor referrals to ensure closed loops and track outcomes for grant/program reporting. 

• Participate in quality improvement projects and program evaluation as requested. 

• Adhere to HIPAA and KC CARE security protocols at all times. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• High school diploma or equivalent. 

• One year of experience working with diverse populations in a community or healthcare setting.

• Ability to obtain and retain healthcare navigation and community healthcare worker certification.

• Strong communication skills; ability to engage patients in person, by phone, and in community settings. 

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS 

• • Associate or bachelor's degree in social work, public health, health administration, or related field.

  • Missouri Certified Community Health Worker and/or completion of an accredited CHW program.

  • Bilingual (English/Spanish or other languages).

  • Previous experience with Medicaid, Medicare, or Marketplace enrollment.

  • Case management or care coordination experience in a health care setting. 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Working Conditions 

General working conditions are in a healthcare facility. As such, there is a potential exposure to virus, disease, and infection from patients while performing the duties of this job. May experience traumatic situations including psychiatric traumatized and deceased patients. Travel may be expected to community meetings, client homes, or other agencies. 

Physical Demands 

While performing duties of this job, employees are regularly required to set, walk, and stand; talk and hear; both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel, or operate standard office or clinical equipment; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.  

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read, analyze, and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with others outside of their department. 

Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. Scheduling, shift assignments, and location may be changed at any time, as required by business necessity.