HIV Patient Navigator

The HIV Patient Navigator works directly with individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other related health conditions to help them access healthcare, supportive services, educational resources, and community programs. This role provides individualized guidance, care coordination, advocacy, and health education while helping clients navigate complex healthcare and social service systems. The successful candidate will be compassionate, dependable, responsive, and comfortable working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Strong communication skills, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to establish trusting relationships with clients are essential. This position does not diagnose medical conditions or provide medical advice outside the employee’s education, training, or authorized scope of practice.

Duties Include:

• Client assessment & case management
• Conducting initial interviews and assessments to identify client needs, barriers, and appropriate support services
• Reassessing client circumstances on an ongoing basis and modify service plans as appropriate
• Helping clients establish and pursue personal wellness goals involving nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and other health-promoting practices
• Providing case management support to qualified participants in the AIDS Waiver and related programs
• Assisting clients in navigating healthcare and social service systems and accessing appropriate community resources
• Health education & risk reduction
• Discussing behaviors and circumstances that may increase HIV transmission risk and provide appropriate education and risk-reduction strategies
• Supporting clients in developing practical strategies for making informed health and lifestyle decisions
• Providing general information regarding HIV treatment, medications, laboratory terminology, available services, and community resources within the limits of the position’s training and scope
• Providing individual and group education related to HIV prevention, treatment, wellness, and risk reduction
• Sharing reliable and up-to-date information regarding HIV prevention and treatment with clients, community members, and partner organizations
• Providing family members with education and referrals for supportive services when appropriate
• Care coordination & advocacy
• Connecting clients with appropriate healthcare and supportive services, including dental care, nutritional assistance, behavioral health services, psychosocial support, and other available resources
• Advocating on behalf of clients when interacting with healthcare providers, pharmaceutical assistance programs, government agencies, and community service organizations
• Accompanying clients to appointments or meetings when appropriate and consistent with program requirements
• Facilitating communication and coordination among medical providers, clinics, social service organizations, and other agencies involved in client care
• Helping clients overcome barriers that may prevent them from accessing or remaining engaged in necessary services
• Outreach & community education
• Participating in community outreach initiatives designed to increase awareness of HIV prevention, treatment, and available support services
• Assisting with planning and conducting educational presentations, workshops, prevention programs, and community events
• Representing company professionally when interacting with community organizations, service providers, stakeholders, and members of the public
• Explaining company's programs and available services to individuals and organizations during outreach activities
• Establishing and maintain positive working relationships with community partners and referral resources

This position may involve travel within the local community to attend appointments, outreach activities, meetings, presentations, and other off-site events. Must be able to communicate effectively through face-to-face interaction, telephone conversations, email, and other electronic communication methods. Work may include primarily sedentary office activities as well as light physical activity associated with community outreach and off-site events. Reasonable accommodations will be considered and provided, when appropriate, to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Fluency in both English and Spanish is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with challenges and barriers affecting people living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, substance use disorders, and other underserved populations
• Previous experience in case management, community outreach, public health, social services, healthcare navigation, or a comparable client-service environment is preferred
• Ability to discuss HIV, Hepatitis C, sexual health, and related topics in a respectful, sensitive, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed manner
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Ability to maintain complete, accurate, and confidential client records
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities, including the capacity to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with limited supervision while also contributing positively to a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Strong advocacy skills and the ability to work effectively with medical providers, behavioral health professionals, social service organizations, and other community resources
• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and experiential backgrounds
• Basic proficiency with computers, electronic communication platforms, and telephone systems
• Ability to identify challenges, evaluate potential solutions, and approach problems constructively

Full-time, Direct Hire position. Pay rate: $58,633.58/yr. Benefits: 401(k); 401(k) matching; Medical insurance; Dental insurance; Vision insurance; Life insurance; Employee assistance program; Paid time off. (#6.0929.306 – San Luis Obispo)