Patient Navigator UPP (Otolaryngology )

UPMC Department of Otolaryngology is hiring a full-time Patient Navigaotr to join their team. This is a Monday through Friday daylight position with the hours of 8am to 4:30pm. No evenings or weekends. 

The Patient Navigator serves as the primary point of contact for all new patients entering the Division of Otology & Neurotology — helping every new patient move smoothly from referral through initial diagnosis and into ongoing care. Within this general new-patient caseload, the navigator will carry an additional, dedicated focus on patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), given the elevated barriers this population faces in accessing and sustaining consistent care. This is a mission-driven role for someone comfortable with detailed logistical coordination and with building trusted relationships across a diverse patient population, including individuals with communication or cognitive support needs.

Purpose:
The Patient Navigator utilizes a patient-and-family-centered approach to patients through the health care system by assisting with access issues, developing relationships with service providers and tracking interventions and outcomes. Establishes and maintains a database which includes patient-specific information relevant to diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, diagnostic, and demographic information. 

Responsibilities:
 

• Initiate communication with patients following discharge from the Emergency Department
• Schedule patients as appropriate for follow-up with a Primary Care Physician (PCP) or practice using EPIC Scheduling Software
• Guide patients through the health care system; help patients arrive at scheduled appointments on time and prepared
• Connect patients to an appropriate community medical home and social support services and systems
• Responsible for working cooperatively and collaboratively with other staff and departments to accomplish tasks
• Facilitate interaction and handoff communication with health care staff and providers. Demonstrates competency using SBAR communication principles. • Provide Healthy People 2010 awareness and education to individuals and groups
• Develop and maintain a learning library for patients including language specific and special needs materials.
• Identify personnel at community medical homes including but not limited to Health First, Latterman Family Health Center, and the Internal Medicine Center at UPMC McKeesport involved in the care of patients and develop relationships with them
• Offer educational sessions to inform practitioners regarding the navigator's role, services provided, and the referral processes.
• Assist patients in finding ways to pay for their health care visits by directing them to the appropriate resources • Assist with arranging for patient transportation where needed.
• Build relationships with other patient navigators.
• Track interventions and outcomes.
• Identify target population by utilizing community service data as appropriate.
• Establish relationships with members of the community by visiting churches, synagogues, schools, libraries, etc. work with community groups to increase awareness and involve the community in program planning whenever possible.
• Utilize interventions and strategies that are appropriate to the population i.e., consider culture, language, age, gender and special needs.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior, maintaining respect for confidentiality and freedom of choice.