Health Care Navigator

About Swords to Plowshares 

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, rapid re-housing and eviction prevention services, employment and training, supportive housing, and legal benefits assistance for low-income, homeless and at-risk veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. Swords to Plowshares promotes and protects the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state and national entities. Learn more about the work of Swords to Plowshares, and ways in which you can help, by visiting our website at: https://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/. 

Job Title  

Health Care Navigator 

Location  

330 Franklin St. Ste.100, Oakland, CA 94607 

Employment Type 

Full Time, Non-Exempt 

Schedule 

Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm 

Hourly Rate: $28.85 - $30.77 / hour

Position is primarily in-office based (Oakland), with field time as necessary (Across the SF County) 

Summary  

SSVF Health Care Navigators are employed by SSVF Grantees to provide services that include connecting veterans to VA health care benefits or community health care services where veterans are not eligible for VA care. SSVF Health Care Navigators provide case management and care coordination, health education, interdisciplinary collaboration, coordination, consultation, and administrative duties. SSVF Health Care Navigators work closely with the veteran’s primary care provider and members of the veteran’s assigned interdisciplinary treatment team. 

Ability to assist Veterans with transportation in San Francisco and Alameda counties is essential – this will be in an organization issued vehicle. The Health Care Navigator possesses excellent judgment and has at least two years of experience in a health care or social services area of practice. The health care navigator will act as a liaison between the SSVF Grantee and the VA or community medical clinic and works with a population of veterans with complex needs who require assistance accessing health care services or adhering to health care plans. 

The SSVF Health Care Navigator also works closely with the veteran’s assigned multidisciplinary team, including medical, nursing, administrative specialists, and case management personnel. The SSVF Health Care Navigator works within this team to provide timely, appropriate, veteran centered care. The SSVF Health Care Navigator works collaboratively with the team and the veteran to identify and address systems challenges for enhanced care coordination as needed. 

Responsibilities  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES include but may not be limited to: 

• Provides comprehensive case management and care coordination across episodes of care—the position proactively supports the veteran to optimize treatment interventions and outcomes 

• Serves as the liaison to VA and community health care programs, including coordinating referrals and representing the program in contacts with other agencies and the public 

• Maintain and update web-based client management database- (ECM & HMIS Clarity) for program activities 

• Work with SSVF and E&T teams on the coordination of client files, data entry, data reporting, and client activities 

• Assist with data entry or any administrative tasks needed by the department 

• Conducts non-clinical assessments to understand the veteran’s situation, potential barriers to care, the causes, and the impact of such barriers on the veteran’s ability to access and maintain health care services.  

• Ability to assist Veterans with transportation in San Francisco and Alameda counties. 

• Advocates for the veteran and integrates the veteran’s cultural values into the care plan. Assists veterans in identifying concerns or questions about their treatment or medications to develop open communication with the provider or treatment team 

• They provide education and support for veterans and their families The Navigator may participate in the development of the veteran’s care plan; however, the Health Care Navigator’s emphasis is on community services, outreach, and referrals needed for the Veteran.  

• Periodically evaluates the effectiveness of the resources and referrals provided and makes appropriate modifications to ensure the provision of high-quality care and interventions.  

• The SSVF Health Care Navigator monitors veteran’s progress, maintains comprehensive documentation, and provides information to treatment team members when appropriate. 

• The SSVF Health Care Navigator modifies services to meet the needs of veteran and coordinates services with other organizations and programs to assure such services are complementary and comprehensive; directs activities to maximize effectiveness, efficiency, and continuity of care for veterans 

• Coordinates supportive and additional services with the veteran. The incumbent ensures and links Veterans and caregivers to supportive services, which include, but are not limited to, housing, financial benefits, transportation 

• Assists in identifying the Veteran and family's health education needs and provides education services and materials that match the health literacy level of the veteran. 

• Understands the different roles within the interdisciplinary team and acts within professional boundaries.  

• Adheres to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws, and agency policies (e.g., critical incident reporting, HIPPA, Tarasoff, etc.). 

• Participates in expanding the knowledge related to health care navigators and the veteran population 

• Identifies systemic barriers within the organization, communicates with organizational leadership about these barriers, and works collaboratively to find viable solutions  

• The VA Health Care Navigator will provide clerical and administrative assistance to the SSVF program when the Director of SSVF determines that their current caseload allows them to do so. The VA Health Care Navigator will provide in-office support as is determined as necessary. 

• May develop evaluation components and outcomes indicators and report those evaluation results to VA and organizational leadership 

• Perform intakes, assessments to determine program eligibility and place program participants into permanent housing; coordinate eviction prevention services, review and append individualized housing stability plan as needed 

• Monitor and track participants’ progress in achieving their goals and objectives while maintaining timely and appropriate documentation, including progress notes, housing stability plans, aftercare plans, and discharge summaries 

• Input HMIS/ECM/data and record management 

• Assist veterans with establishing disability income and other benefits as needed 

• Participate in weekly client case conference meetings and weekly supervision with the SSVF Program Manager and other meetings as required 

• Perform other related duties as required by the SSVF management staff and Deputy Director for East Bay Programs  

Requirements 

Valid CA Driver’s License  

Ability to clear a MVR Search 

Experience 

• 2-3 years’ experience in the field of health care or social services 

• Competence and familiarity with the VA Healthcare system personally and/or professionally. 

• Experience working with vulnerable populations and/or veterans 

• Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of personalities and roles - staff, residents, local agencies, contractors, etc. 

• Experience working with people in low-income subsidized housing arrangements and/or supportive housing programs preferred 

Qualifications 

• Demonstrated ability to interact well with people from all walks of life 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 

• Must possess computer proficiency in MS Office Suite, general web-based applications and Internet search engines 

• Knowledge of social service resource systems and self-help intervention strategies 

• Knowledge of public benefits and financial resources available in the community 

• Knowledge of the Veteran’s Administration Healthcare network and best ways to access care 

• Clear boundaries and positive demeanor 

• Maintain highest standards of confidentiality with all records, including organizational and individual information 

• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, monitors own work to ensure quality and applies feedback to improve performance 

• Well organized: able to effectively manage multiple assignments to meet project deadlines.  

• Must successfully pass a criminal background check 

• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency’s Diversity Equality Initiative 

Skills 

• Ability to independently work with populations with various challenges such as mental health, substance abuse, persons experiencing homelessness  

• Ability to successfully develop relationships utilizing motivational interviewing techniques.  

• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills including use of motivational interviewing, harm reduction approach, and trauma-informed care. 

• Thoroughness and accuracy with data collection, entry and quality control in a web-based database 

• Strong oral, written communication, and listening skills 

• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word and Excel) 

• Proficient typing skills 

Physical Requirements: 

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions 

• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds 

Benefits 

Compensation is based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Swords to Plowshares offers a generous benefits package including the following benefits: 

• Excellent medical and dental packages 

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution 

• 17 vacation days in the first year 

• 12 holidays every year 

• Wellness program 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement of Intent: 

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all/ people feel welcome, heard, and valued. We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. This includes mistreatment based on race, age, color, veteran/military status, language, ethnic background, national origin, ancestry, ability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, other status protected by law, and the other qualities/traits that make you unique. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. 

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974). If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at employeesupport@stp-sf.org. We’re here to help. 

Salary : $29 - $31