Health Navigator
Church World Service, Inc.

Position Title: Health Navigator

Reports To: Extended Services Supervisor

Team: Immigration and Refugee Program

Location: Lancaster, PA

Hours: 37.5hrs/week

Level: 4

Salary: $21.36 - $25.13/hourly

Status: þ Non-Exempt o Exempt

o Bargaining Unit þ Non-Bargaining Unit

CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

Primary Purpose:

The purpose of the Health Navigator is to help newly arrived Afghans and other eligible populations develop a strong understanding of the U.S. healthcare system as well as the skills needed to navigate this system and build local support networks, increasing client agency and connection. The Health Navigator will do this by providing an individualized “deep-dive” into U.S. healthcare norms and expectations through personal health orientation sessions as well helping clients navigate specific barriers and needs related to their health and the U.S. healthcare system. This staff will also be responsible for organizing and leading a support group where new neighbors can find community and agency in managing health and mental health needs. The primary focus of this role will be on newly arrived Afghans, but will maintain a smaller capacity to serve other immigrant & refugee populations based on need.

Essential Duties as Navigator

Conduct one-on-one extended healthcare orientation sessions with clients struggling to navigate the U.S. healthcare system This could be done in one sitting or in 2-3 sessions per client, as needed.

Provide additional navigation support as needed; for example, assist a client in contacting their insurance plan to identify a local provider or help the client identify a local pharmacy with a review of prescription management.

Receive referrals from other CWS programs and volunteers as well as community partners. Reach out to potential participants to explain program activities, benefits, and goals and conduct an initial assessment of client needs.

Develop and conduct a pre- and post-program assessment with each client/family to identify needs and track achievement of program goals. Maintain a digital case-note log for each client including a description of support activities and follow-up as well as a copy of eligibility documentation, case enrollment and all assessments.

Tailor sessions to individual client or family based on needs identified by referral source and family in initial assessment. These could include information on preparing for a doctor’s visit, managing follow-up, rights and responsibilities, nutrition and healthy eating, hygiene, healthy coping strategies, insurance navigation, and medication management.

Develop and lead a Peer Support group that invites new arrivals to build critical social supports within a healthy, supportive space to express worries, stressors, and goals. Conduct community outreach to identify and recruit program participants as well as community partner support as necessary.

Set a varying agenda for each session, covering topics such as CWS programs and support, tips for healthy coping, and other topics that the Navigator identifies through the extended health navigation sessions or cultural orientation reflections.

Track attendance at peer support group meetings and log notes for each session, including highlights, challenges, agenda, and identified trends. Note observations and gather client testimonials throughout the program in order to incorporate feedback into future group sessions.

Work to foster a safe social space for support group that encourages respectful exchanges and a positive tone for engagement. This will be especially important given that clients come from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds and may be hesitant to connect with others based on historical fears rooted in decades of conflict.

Identify and work with local volunteers to provide interpretation support as needed.

Provide clients with referrals to other CWS programs or community resources as needed.

Work closely with Extended Services Supervisor to monitor and evaluate program progress and implementation;identify and evaluate any promising practices to be shared with other affiliates. Assistin program tracking and reporting in accordance with requirements of program funders.

Provide program updates and highlights to fellow team members during check-ins and staff meetings.

Assist supervisor with data reporting to funders, as well as data gathering for monitoring purposes.

Common Duties:

Effectively coordinate and work in tandem with other service providers to assist refugee clients, avoid duplication of services, and maximize efficiency.

Effectively use technology to maximize efficiency and quality of work during intake, needs assessments, and data entry.

Advocate for equal access to services for refugees and immigrants.

Keep informed about refugee and immigrant issues and available services to clients, using current information to better identify and serve refugee and immigrant clients.

Attend weekly meetings with supervisor and other agency staff.

Undertake other duties as assigned.

Education:

Associate degree required; higher education preferred. Experience working in refugee resettlement or social justice field is preferred.

Experience/Background:

Work experience and interest in refugee resettlement or other direct social services. Ability to provide culturally sensitive counseling and support is required.Candidates from refugee groups or candidates with background in healthcare navigation, counseling, or social work are strongly preferred.

Other Skills:

English fluency is required. Fluency in Dari/Farsi and/or Pashto is preferred along with superior written and verbal communication skills. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, and Access) and internet applications. Strong organizational and time management skills are required. Must be able to maintain a flexible schedule during weekdays to accommodate both early and later evening appointments as necessary.

Competencies:
General: Able to work creatively and independently, maintain client confidentiality, and work collaboratively with community partners. Above average decision and problem-solving skills, high moral character, and impeccable judgment absolutely necessary.

Communication:Able to communicate thoroughly and with self-confidence a broad range of information. Able to speak publicly with local providers to advocate for equal access to services on behalf of refugee clients.

Applying Instructions: Visit cwsglobal.org and click on the Employment link to find this position application. Inclusion of a cover letter and a current resume are required.

Special Requirements:

• CWS’ U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Policy requires all new staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as soon as reasonable, no longer than 60 days of employment. Any employee who is pregnant, who is nursing, who has a disability, or who has a medical condition that prevents them from safe vaccination, or who rejects vaccination because of sincerely held religious beliefs, may contact the CWS Benefits Administrator to request reasonable accommodation as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

• Must have access to reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license with insurable record. Must be able to keep a clean driving record.
• This is an in-person position, with possibility of hybrid schedule

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
• 403 (b) Retirement Plan
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Long Term and Short Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits

This job has expired.