Patient Navigator

Title: Patient Navigator

Location: This role involves traveling between NARA NW locations during the workday.

River House - 211 SE Caruthers St., Portland, OR 97214

Indian Health Clinic - 703 NE Hancock St., Portland, OR 97212

Wellness Clinic - 12360 E. Burnside St., Portland, OR 97233

Schedule: This is an in person position, Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Wage Range: $23.00 - $29.00 hourly, Non-Exempt

If you are a motivated and dedicated Patient Navigator looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you! 

At NARA NW, you’ll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful difference.

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About the Company:

At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The Social Services Patient Navigator works independently and collaboratively with a team of health professionals to provide members with opportunities to improve self-management abilities, health outcomes, and satisfaction with health care in a culturally specific manner. The Patient Navigator will provide support navigating complex medical systems and addressing social determinates of health. The Patient Navigator will be responsible for utilizing a closed-loop referral system for documentation and reimbursement processes related to HRSN services.

What you will do:

• Answer and respond to inquiries in the resource/call center.
• Provide patient navigation through health care systems to eliminate barriers to care.
• Assist patients in navigating social services resources and programs.
• Maintain high level knowledge on all internal NARA NW programs, qualifications and intake processes.
• Submit necessary reimbursement/billing information related to HRSN services.
• Build productive relationships with internal and external community partners.
• Help patients keep track of upcoming appointments, schedule rides for appointments and support with understanding after care visit information.
• Coordinating appointments with providers to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic and treatment services.
• Arranging language translation or interpretation services.
• Assist clients in learning about and accessing cultural resources and activities.
• Monitor well-being of clients in the community setting on a routine basis as determined by service plan (outreach).
• Send/track/ follow-up on referrals to internal and external resources.
• Provide a warm handoff for clients who are being referred to internal and external resources, (e.g. attending first appointments with client at health clinic, addictions intake, housing, cultural activities, etc.).
• Coordination of care – actively initiate and maintain communication and collaboration with all members of client’s support system and service team as permitted by the client.
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely documentation as required by agency policy and OARS.

We would like to hear from people that have:

• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) required.
• Certification as a Community Health Worker within 6 months of hire.
• Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates recurring knowledge/skill and ability to perform above-described duties.
• Evidence of computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint); Publisher, Centricity, and database management, and CAST.
• Availability to work some evenings, weekends, and special events, as needed.
• Ability to persuade clients to take courses of action beneficial to their health and well-being.
• Evidence of ability to convey information clearly, effectively and in grammatically accurate way.
• Evidence of ability to gather information and apply it to current situation to arrive at conclusion, solve problem or make valid decision.
• Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
• Ability to travel between multiple sites and locations in a day. Must have valid driver’s license and active insurance to adhere to company driving policy. Drive and have access to their own reliable transportation to perform job.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
• Current CPR certification within 30 days of hire.

What’s in it for you?

14 Paid Holidays: New Years, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, 4th of July, Labor Day, United Indigenous Day, Indigenous People's Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, and December 25th!

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Referral Program- (Up to $1000 Dollars)
• Company Phone
• Company Laptop
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW (naranorthwest.org)
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Not required), that’s all!
3. Feel free to contact recruiting@naranorthwest.org if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober. 

Consistent with NARA NW’s sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a “Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form” and NARA NW “Modeling Sobriety Policy Form” as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.