Patient Navigator
About the role
New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research. Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers. Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state—at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark’s University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates. Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Patient Navigator in the Department of Medicine- Infectious Disease within the New Jersey Medical School (NJMS). The Patient Navigator provides clients with medical case management services as defined by the Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA). Provides client-centered services that link clients with health care, psychosocial, and other services. Coordinates and follows-up to ensure that medical treatments have been provided. Ensures timely and coordinated access to medically appropriate levels of health and support services and continuity of care, through ongoing assessment of the client’s and other key family members’ needs and personal support systems. Ensures that comprehensive medical case management is provided including the provision of treatment adherence counseling to ensure readiness for, and adherence to, complex HIV/AIDS treatments. Key activities include (1) initial assessment of service needs; (2) development of a comprehensive, individualized service plan; (3) provision of services required to implement the plan; (4) monitoring to assess the efficacy of the plan; and (5) periodic re-evaluation and adaptation of the plan as necessary over the life of the client.
Responsibilities
- Orients clients and provides information about the available services of the ID Practice.
- Performs a biopsychosocial assessment and develops a care plan to address the client’s needs initially and at a minimum every six months.
- Develops assessments of clients’ medical and bio-psychosocial needs including, but not limited to medical care, housing, support groups, home health care, respite care, legal services, employment training, entitlements, food, substance abuse treatment and counseling, etc.
- Develops service plans including referrals to appropriate service providers, community-based organizations, and entitlements for the client, family members, and/or partner(s).
- Assists with facilitating access to services in an empowering way that allows client to have control.
- Conducts ongoing monitoring including regular reassessment, plan modifications, referrals, and recommendations, as well as client’s needs, risks and progress as appropriate.
- Coordinates/facilitates and follows-up on medical treatments and patient referrals for core medical services and other services as needed.