Clinical Health Navigator I/II

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Comply with all ethical and professional standards set by La Clinica, including its policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations in all practices concerning patient information.
• HIV Care:
• Conducts outreach and HIV testing to identify new HIV patients.
• Serves as the primary contact for newly diagnosed and out-of-care HIV positive patients.
• Navigates newly diagnosed and out of care patients into HIV medical care services, including registration, medical appointment, labs, pharmacy, and referrals.
• Ensures sustained access to resources that promote retention in care.
• Works closely with the medical team to coordinate services for patients, including scheduling appointments, coordinating STI treatment, arranging laboratory services, charting, managing pharmacy needs, among other services, with ongoing follow-up to prevent gaps in care.
• Delivers comprehensive education on HIV, including adherence, resistance, viral load, and Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U).
• Affirms patients' needs for gender-affirming care and provides appropriate referrals and support.
• Collaborates with patients to develop individualized care plans and connect them with needed services.
• Affirms immediate needs and barriers for new and ongoing patients, ensuring continuity of care.
• Supports PrEP/PEP patients by conducting regular follow-ups to monitor adherence, provide appointment reminders, and reinforce the importance of routine HIV/STI testing every 2-3 months, based on patient needs.
• Affords assistance in scheduling appointments with PrEP healthcare providers.
• STI and HIV Prevention:
• Conducts community outreach and facilitates HIV/STI testing through specimen collection.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for community members seeking or referred for HIV/STI services.
• Provides comprehensive education on HIV and STI prevention, including PrEP and PEP options.
• Affords access to long-term HIV or PrEP care.
• Affords appropriate referrals for patients requiring gender-affirming care.
• Assesses immediate needs and barriers for new and ongoing patients, ensuring continuity of care.
• PrEP/PEP Responsibilities:
• Engages in outreach efforts to identify and connect with potential PrEP/PEP candidates, including men who have sex with men (MSM), individuals of transgender experience, and others at increased risk for HIV, following CDC guidelines.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for all patients receiving biomedical prevention services at La Clinica.
• Facilitates linkage to PrEP/PEP services and supports timely initiation of care.
• Affirms patients’ immediate needs and addresses barriers to adherence and retention in care.
• Provides ongoing follow-up with PrEP/PEP patients to monitor medication adherence, medical appointments, and HIS/STI testing as part of comprehensive preventive care.
• Evaluates patient needs for gender-affirming care and provides appropriate referrals.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Knowledge:
• Strong understanding of HIV/STI, treatment protocols, and social determinants of health.
• Familiarity with healthcare systems, insurance, and referral processes.
• Knowledgeable with various electronic systems and platforms.
• HIV Testing procedures.
• Clinical Patient Navigation.
• LGBTQI+ Familiarity.
• Clinical documentation practices.
• Conducting psychosocial assessment.
• Gender-affirming care knowledge.
• Skills:
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Excellent customer service.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Effective communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability:
• Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to multitask and manage a dynamic workload.
• Able to follow directions and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working in medical settings and outreach environments.
• Ability to understand verbal and written language in English and specified language; specific language(s) to be determined based on location and organizational needs.

Education And Experience

• For Clinical Health Navigator I: High School diploma or equivalent (GED) required. Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant fields is highly preferred. Experience in HIV-related work and/or experience in a healthcare setting is highly preferred.
• For Clinical Health Navigator II: Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant field is highly desired. Experience in HIV-related work and/or experience in a healthcare setting is highly desired. The Bachelor’s Degree May Be Substituted With High School Diploma or GED, and 6 years of relevant work experience. OR Associates Degree, and 4 years of relevant work experience.

Certifications Required

• Must hold a current BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate. You will have a 30-day grace period to obtain your certificate from the date of hire.
• HCC Certification (HIV Care positions only). Must be obtained within 60 days of hire (training provided).
• ADAP Enrollment Certification (HIV Care positions only). Must be obtained within 60 days of hire (training provided).
• PrEP Navigation Certification (PrEP Navigators). Must be obtained within 60 days of hire (training provided).
• HIV/HCV Certification (California State). Must be obtained within 60 days of onboarding (training provided).

Highly Preferred

• Community Health Worker Certification (CHW).

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods; may also include walking for prolonged periods of time.
• Bending/lifting, pushing/pulling, adjusting, or moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds in all directions and occasionally more.
• Upper extremity demands: Reaching above shoulder and/or below waist.