Community Resource Navigator

About The Program:

Operating within RAMS’ independent network, Kindezi embraced opportunities for innovative partnerships with a wide range of birthwork professionals. By collaborating with community midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, and others, Kindezi is able to offer a holistic approach to perinatal care, seamlessly integrating it with high-quality mental wellness support. As RAMS’ first behavioral health program specifically created to improve perinatal outcomes for Black families, Kindezi serves as a vital resource, blending tradition, cultural responsiveness, and clinical excellence to support families on their journey.

Position Overview:

The Community Resource Navigator assists program participants to access mental health services, supplemental perinatal services, and health-promoting resources. The Navigator gathers information related to economic barriers, healthcare systems concerns, and basic needs and connects participants directly to vetted community agencies and programs for relevant support. The Navigator is a highly effective communicator and subject matter expert, responsible for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of available community resources, and skilled in motivating participants to access these resources. The Navigator will lead outreach efforts and facilitate seamless collaboration between the Kindezi networks to help birthing people and their families overcome logistical barriers and increase care quality and continuity. 

Essential Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain a thorough understanding of ancillary perinatal services
• Support all operational elements of the program
• Receive incoming referrals; complete intake and program enrollment for eligible individuals
• Respond to referrals to support participants with economic, logistical, and other non-clinical barriers to accessing care, following care plans, or meeting goals
• Virtual and in-person outreach to identify resource needs, connect participants to those resources, and follow up to determine if the need is met
• Data entry and maintenance of participant records to track utilization of program supports and external referrals
• Escalate to and collaborate with clinical colleagues and care teams as appropriate 
• Participate in and consult with interdisciplinary care teams to support individuals/families with complex resource needs or logistical barriers
• Create collaborative relationships with staff across departments within the Kindezi network and community birthworkers to promote collaboration and multi-system coordination
• Participate in on-site events, clinics, and outreach initiatives as assigned
• Support organizational initiatives as appropriate to resolve care access barriers (including, but not limited to, assisting participants in accessing and understanding insurance coverage and benefits)

Minimum Required Educational level & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent; BS/BA in Social Work or healthcare-related field preferred
• Minimum of two years’ experience providing support to clinical program or community-based organization offering case management, community outreach, and advocacy
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the perinatal healthcare system and factors influencing birthing experiences and outcomes among Black birthing people
• Familiarity with community perinatal wellness services in San Francisco (i.e., doulas, community midwives, lactation educators and/or consultants, nutrition programs, pediatric services, etc.)
• Computer literacy and technical skills (e.g., digital communication, project management software, social media navigation and posting, use of messaging apps, etc.)
• Valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance preferred

Other Requirements: 

• Empathic attitude and ability to provide emotional support
• Ability to effectively use education, motivational interviewing, and creative solution-finding skills in various settings
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and to adapt when faced with internal or external barriers, or when faced with differing points of view
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, including humor
• Tech savviness and computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Office products and ability to learn new skills, including data entry in Salesforce
• Ability to use integrated technology platforms and virtual care coordination tools 
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to achieve objectives