Patient Health Navigator

For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.

FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.

Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others.  FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.   

The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.

Job Roles

• Serves as a liaison between internal and external customers, including patients/clients, other FHCSD service staff and other service providers, for the purpose of improving patient/client quality of care and flow.
• Completes all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and thoroughly in accordance with department standards; in addition, documentation complies with all grant funder and patients/clients' insurance requirements.
• Works in collaboration with all members of the healthcare and departmental program on retention, appointment completion, and identifying barriers to care (e.g., quality improvement projects, Case Reviews, etc.).
• Engages in patient/client interactions via telephone and in person to identify and meet patient/client needs, including facilitation of assisted and unassisted referrals, resources, and follow-up, depending on presenting needs.
• Assists with scheduling, organizing, and managing a patient/client’s healthcare maintenance and treatment.
• Performs general clerical tasks, as assigned, which may include filing, processing paperwork, data entry, scanning/photocopying, agenda creation and minutes, encounter reports, scheduling, and similar tasks.
• Uses discretion during all interactions to answer both routine and complicated questions, forwards issues to appropriate person. Handles confidential and routine information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Certifications/Licenses/Registrations

• High School diploma (or GED equivalent) required.
• 2 years of experience with health education or working in the medical/health related field preferred.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the skills, knowledge, and ability to perform the essential job duties, and which meets any required state or federal certification requirements
• Specific Certifications may be required or preferred depending on assignment (i.e.: CA HIV Test Counselor, limited CPT certification for waived testing, etc.)
• Traveling between sites and other locations is required as an essential function of the job. Must have a car, a valid California driver’s license, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required. California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.

Experience/Specialized skills (including Language)

• Demonstrated ability to maintain good working relationships with employees, coworkers, and departments.
• Intermediate interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with patients and family members who speak English as a second language.
• Demonstrated social skills, limit-setting, and boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidential information.
• Ability to work well in both a team-based environment and independently.
• Basic computer literacy ability to comply with department needs and expectations (i.e., electronic medical record documentation, obtaining background information and reports on patients, following up on appointments, etc.).
• Basic supportive communication skills, such as reflecting, active listening, and paraphrasing.
• Basic organizational skills, attention to detail, time-management skills, and motivation to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
• Knowledge of health and social service systems in San Diego County is preferred
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) may be required depending on assignment.
• Strong skills in computer applications and software.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment

Bending (neck): OCCASIONALLY (1 - 3 HRS)

Bending (waist): RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Carrying 0 - 10 lbs: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Carrying 11 - 25 lbs: NEVER

Carrying 25 - 50 lbs: NEVER

Carrying 51 - 75 lbs: NEVER

Carrying 75 lbs: NEVER

Climbing (ladder): NEVER

Climbing (stairs): RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Driving: To drive from one clinic or another, or in the community: INCIDENTAL DRIVING (LESS THAN 3 DAYS/WEEK)

Exposure to blood borne pathogens and biohazards: NO

Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, or chemicals: Office supplies

Fine manipulation: OCCASIONALLY (1 - 3 HRS)

Kneeling: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Lifting 0 - 10 lbs: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Lifting 11 - 25 lbs: NEVER

Lifting 25 - 50 lbs: NEVER

Lifting 51 - 75 lbs: NEVER

Lifting over 75 lbs: NEVER

Power Grasping: OCCASIONALLY (1 - 3 HRS)

Pulling 0 - 10 lbs: OCCASIONALLY (1 - 3 HRS)

Pulling 11 - 25 lbs: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Pulling 25 - 50 lbs: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Pulling 51 - 75 lbs: NEVER

Pulling over 75 lbs: NEVER

Pushing 0 - 10 lbs: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Pushing 11 - 25 lbs: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Pushing 25 - 50 lbs: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Pushing 51 - 75 lbs: NEVER

Pushing over 75 lbs: NEVER

Reaching (above shoulder level): RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Reaching (below shoulder level): RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Repetitive use of hand: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)

Simple Grasping: OCCASIONALLY (1 - 3 HRS)

Sitting: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)

Standing: OCCASIONALLY (1 - 3 HRS)

Twisting: RARELY (0-1 HRS)

Use of Personal Protective Equipment: As established by Department Standards

Walking: OCCASIONALLY (1 - 3 HRS)

Working around equipment and machinery: Office equipment

Ages of Patients Served: N/A

We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is:

$23.00 - $27.74

Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net)

FHCSD provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.