Family Navigator in CHEROKEE, North Carolina at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority

POSITION SUMMARY:

Family Navigators are people who have lived experience as a person with IDD (intellectual or developmental disability), Autism or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) or are the parent or primary caregiver of a person with an IDD, Autism or TBI who use their own experience to help others navigate the community system. The Family Navigator will be responsible for supporting and guiding families within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians community. This position acts as a bridge between families and the multiple support systems including education, specific support services, healthcare, social services, and other community services. Key responsibilities include providing information, education, and advocacy, as well as helping families navigate and access necessary resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Use lived experience to build trust, normalize challenges, and offer hope and practical strategies.
• Provide one-on-one guidance to families navigating services for individuals with IDD, Autism, or TBI.
• Support transitions across life stages (e.g., diagnosis, school entry, adulthood, crisis recovery).
• Facilitate groups, and/or classes for the Resource Center programming.
• Promote a philosophy of whole person-centered care.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and sensitivity when working with Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian families, understanding the unique challenges and needs of tribal communities.
• Document all treatment and clinically significant events for the record in assigned location or system, the manner prescribed by CIHA policies and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate documentation compliance and standardized billing practices where appliable.
• Follow all applicable privacy/confidentiality policies, procedures, and practices for maintenance and release of patient records and clinical information, including EBCI, CIHA, IHS, DHHS, HIPAA, JCAHO, 42 CFR, or other licensing bodies.
• Advocate for systemic change within community, educational, and healthcare systems to improve access and services for individuals with IDD, Autism and/or TBI.
• Provide culturally appropriate approaches in engagement with the community.
• Participate in extensive community outreach to individuals needing extra support.
• Establish strong, trusting relationships with individuals and families, providing ongoing support and guidance.
• Build a trusting, collaborative partnership with community providers and other community agencies and partners specific to the population.
• Provide families with information about available services and how to access them.
• Act as a bridge between families and service systems, including tribal programs, state agencies, and community organizations.
• Promote inclusion, accessibility, and equity in community settings and service environments.
• Identify and address gaps in services or barriers to access, elevating family concerns to leadership when needed.
• Represent the interests of families and children within the various systems they interact with.
• Help families understand their rights, navigate complex systems, and take an active role in their child's care.
• Assist families in finding and accessing appropriate medical, educational, social, and support services.
• Work collaboratively with service providers, healthcare providers, educators, social workers, and other professionals to ensure coordinated care.
• Help identify and develop community resources that can support families.
• Conduct and facilitate training sessions to build families' skills and knowledge in accessing services and advocating for their children.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions with families and resources accessed.
• Operate with appropriate and professional boundaries with population served, families, community and stakeholders.
• Participate and facilitate educational opportunities for the community and population served in the community, when assigned.
• Ability to share your story and lived experience in an appropriate and respectful manner.
• Ability to effectively utilize an electronic medical record and other software such as Microsoft Office programs, and email.
• Considerable originality and initiative are required in the daily performance of tasks.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and principles of person-centered thinking.
• Basic knowledge of resources in the community.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Required

Experience:

• Personal experience lending to providing care to a loved one with IDD, Autism or TBI or be a person with lived experience with IDD, Autism or TBI.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in disability advocacy, navigating systems of care related to supportive IDD services, or social services.
• Valid NC Driver’s License
• At least 1 year experience navigating a system of care for individuals/families with IDD, Autism, and/or TBI.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred

• Experience working with tribal communities or tribal housing initiatives.
• Experience working in a healthcare facility.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee works primarily in a hospital, inpatient or outpatient clinical environment but may be required to work at other offices and locations. The work environment involves moderate risks of exposure to infectious disease, radiation, electrical hazards, and irritant chemical and explosive gases. Employee must strictly adhere to OSHA guidelines and protocol for maintaining sterile conditions.

Some travel is required. Infrequent overnight travel may be required for meetings or to attend training.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Job duties can be mentally and emotionally stressful at times given the complexity of the duties. Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required. Physical activities require the ability to be mobile, sit, reach, bend, and be in front of groups and deliver training for extended periods of time. Some physical exertion and stamina is required such as required to transport training materials or to travel. Must be able to lift 30 lbs.

• Position requires: stand (under 1/3 time); walk (under 1/3 time); sit (to 2/3 time)

COMPLEXITY OF DUTIES:

This position is responsible for assisting in maximizing the available resources to meet the IDD, Autism, and TBI needs of the community. Must have the ability to interpret policy, laws and regulations in order to make decisions. Duties require the application of clinical judgment and problem solving skills in order to be effective.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the direct guidance of the IDD Services Supervisor must demonstrate considerable initiative and ability to work independently within applicable licensing regulations. Position must communicate effectively with supervisor to ensure alignment with organizational goals, mission, vision and values.

RESPOSIBILITY FOR ACCURACY:

Failure to provide adequate clinical services or to properly manage and direct activities could result in poor client outcomes, delays in patient treatment, and negative patient and community relations. Ineffective health planning could have adverse effects on the health status of the community by limiting access to necessary resources. Accuracy of data and research is critical in the allocation of tribal resources. Employee is responsible for the adherence to policy and procedure.

CONTACT WITH OTHERS:

Interacts frequently with coworkers, hospital staff, patients, stakeholders and other health professionals for the purpose of exchanging information, obtaining, or providing assistance. Serves on various local, community, and health committees, boards and advisory councils, as appropriate. Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to maintain positive working relationships. Utmost sensitivity and confidentiality is required when dealing with patients and families.

CONFIDENTIAL

The provision of medical care requires that the incumbent maintain strict confidentiality regarding all patient information. The employee will have access to patient records and highly confidential information and must function with utmost integrity to safe guard this information. The employee complies with EBCI policy on confidentiality of patient records, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority Confidentiality policy, HIPAA, 42CFR and other federal law requirements. Violations of confidentiality regulations may result disciplinary action and other action as allowed by federal regulations.

EMERGENCY PRIVILEGES:

In the case of an emergency, any member of the Medical Staff, to the degree permitted by his/her license shall be permitted to do everything possible to save a patient’s life or save a patient from serious harm, regardless of the individual’s clinical privileges. This shall be defined as those situations in which a delay could result in serious harm or death and in which a more qualified member is not immediately available.

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.