Position Summary:

The Health Navigator serves as the primary care manager for individuals and families who need services. They facilitate the initial introduction to the organization’s services and maintain ongoing contact with each assigned participant. Roots has three Navigation & Care Management areas in which Health Navigators can support clients in 10 Domains of Life from crisis to secure. General Navigation assists a panel of members with barriers to support them to achieve their goals.  Specialized Navigation is primary navigation for a specific type of member with additional needs, such as reentry, family, violence intervention, youth, and maternal.  Intensive Navigation is primary navigation plus care management for those with complex medical and/or behavioral needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop rapport and relationships that foster trust to ensure participants feel comfortable and safe.
• Provide face-to-face visits and make outreach calls to the participant based on their needs. 
• Perform a comprehensive barrier assessment to address barriers such as psychosocial health, criminal history, physical health, probation/parole status, mental health, job-readiness/competency, substance use, DMV issues, family/support system, child support orders, custody matters, housing, tax issues, access to food, clothing, and hygiene items, civil restitution orders, and access to healthcare services.
• Assist participants in enrolling in public benefit programs (MediCal, CalFresh, CalWorks, etc.), medical and social services.
• Provide health coaching (glucometer training, etc.). 
• Support medical providers and clinical staff as needed in daily clinic operations.
• Complete all required documentation and reports in a timely fashion and in accordance with program contracts.
• Help keep the site clean and safe at all times.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, agency meetings, and staff trainings.
• Must be able to work on-site full time.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the role and business need.

Competencies:

• Ability to work effectively within stressful environments with rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and maintain a healthy presence within a close-knit group.
• Ability to proactively identify team dynamics concerns and take appropriate action. 
• Ability to exercise mature judgment and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to recognize and manage personal triggers, self-regulate emotionally, and perform effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates organizational skills, including attention to detail, task prioritization, time management, and multi-tasking.
• Demonstrates clear, effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build rapport and foster trusting relationships so participants feel comfortable and safe.
• Comfortable working with and entering data accurately.
• Demonstrates a continuous learning mindset and openness to constructive feedback and self-improvement.

Requirements:

• 2+ years of experience working in the capacity of a health navigator, community health worker (CHW), or peer specialist.
• Personal or family history of systems involvement (jail/prison, foster system, mental health system, etc.) preferred. 
• 2 years of experience working in non-profit organizations or community clinics preferred. 
• Comfort level working with communities of African descent, low-income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated, and individuals with behavioral health challenges. 
• Solid organizational skills, including attention to detail and multitasking.
• Ability to manage time efficiently.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with electronic medical records is preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources and services is preferred.
• Proficiency with computer programs and operating standard office equipment (Microsoft Office, G Suite, telephones, e-fax, copy machines, etc.). 
• Valid California driver license with a safe driving record.