Patient Navigator & Community Health Worker

Job Summary

The Patient Navigator & Community Health Worker (CHW) for the Mobile Health Program performs essential patient navigation, outreach, and care coordination functions in support of multiple mobile and community-based health programs, including Mobile Primary Care, the Farmworker Outreach Program (FOP), the Center for Addiction Triage and Treatment (CATT), and Low Acuity Transitional Services (LATS)/Medical Respite.

Responsibilities

• Participate in mobile clinics, outreach events, shelters, farmworker camps, and community partner locations.
• Conduct proactive, field-based patient engagement, navigation, and follow-up.
• Drive and operate the Mobile Health unit after required training and authorization.
• Aid in mobile clinic setup, breakdown, patient flow, and supply management.
• Conduct community canvassing and outreach to underserved populations.
• Provide navigation and care coordination for medical, dental, addiction treatment, behavioral health, and social services.
• Assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, including transportation, insurance, and system navigation.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up care.
• Support patient understanding of care plans, medications, and next steps.
• Care for medication delivery per program workflows.
• Conduct basic OHP eligibility screenings.
• Aid in OHP applications and renewals.
• Refer complex cases to Eligibility Specialists.
• Document eligibility activities in Epic.
• Provide health education.
• Deliver harm reduction education and supplies per protocol.
• Document encounters in Epic.
• Support scheduling: Patient registration, reminder calls, and outreach tracking.
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Outreach & Field-Based Activities

• Participate in mobile clinics, outreach events, shelters, farmworker camps, and community partner locations.
• Conduct proactive, field-based patient engagement, navigation, and follow-up.
• Drive and operate the Mobile Health unit after required training and authorization.
• Aid in mobile clinic setup, breakdown, patient flow, and supply management.
• Conduct community canvassing and outreach to underserved populations.

Patient Navigation & Care Coordination

• Provide navigation and care coordination for medical, dental, addiction treatment, behavioral health, and social services.
• Assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, including transportation, insurance, and system navigation.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up care.
• Support patient understanding of care plans, medications, and next steps.
• Care for medication delivery per program workflows.

Health Education & Harm Reduction

• Provide culturally appropriate health education.
• Deliver harm reduction education and supplies per protocol.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Document encounters in Epic.
• Support scheduling: Patient registration, reminder calls, and outreach tracking.
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Commitment to trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and health equity.
• Ability to serve individuals with complex medical, behavioral health, or substance use needs.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency in Epic and Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver’s license required with a clean driving record; must meet organizational driving eligibility requirements.
• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Education And Experience Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Oregon CHW certification required or must be obtained within 6 months of hire.
• 4 years experience in community health, outreach, mobile health programs, or public health preferred.
• Experience working with OHP navigation, substance use disorder populations, farmworker communities, or unhoused individuals strongly preferred.

Behavioral Competencies

• Accountability
• Customer-Focus
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Confidentiality
• Ethical
• Respect
• Communication

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 40 lbs. of supplies or equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions during outreach events.
• Ability to safely enter and exit mobile units, outreach vehicles, and community sites.
• Work in a fast-paced, mobile environment serving diverse populations.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires regular travel across Washington and Yamhill Counties, including occasional evening or weekend outreach during seasonal or special events.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Equipment Used

• Office equipment
• Computer: data entry and word processing
• Telephone, fax, copier, scanner, printer.

Immunization

• Staff members must meet immunizations requirements as stated in VGMHC’s immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.

Equal Opportunity Employer

VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, or physical challenges. The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices but also includes affirmative action in the area of placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay and termination.