Advance Needs Care Coordinator in Lakeport, California at LAKE COUNTY TRIBAL HEALTH

TITLE: ADVANCED NEEDS CARE COORDINATOR
DEPARTMENT: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SUPERVISED BY: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANAGER
CLASSIFICATION: FULL-TIME NON-EXEMPT

POSITION SUMMARY: The Advanced Needs Care Coordinator supports patients in navigating the healthcare system and accessing needed services. This position primarily serves individuals with developmental disabilities and other special needs, along with their families and caregivers. The coordinator serves as a liaison between patients, healthcare providers, community resources, and support agencies to ensure seamless care coordination and positive patient experiences. While the primary focus is individuals with developmental disabilities and complex care needs, the position may also support other patient populations as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Patient Advocacy: Advocate for patients' needs and preferences throughout their healthcare journey. Serve as a trusted resource for patients and their families, providing information, guidance, and emotional support as they navigate complex healthcare processes.
• Care Coordination: Collaborate with healthcare providers to coordinate appointments, referrals, medications, and follow-up care for patients. Ensure that patients receive timely access to the appropriate services and that their care is well-coordinated across multiple specialties and settings.
• Health Education: Educate patients about their medical conditions, treatment options, and self-care strategies. Empower patients to make informed decisions about their health by providing clear and accurate information in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Resource Referral: Connect patients with community resources, support services, and financial assistance programs to address their social, emotional, and financial needs. Assist patients in accessing resources such as transportation, housing assistance, and medication assistance programs.
• Patient Navigation: Guide patients through the healthcare system, including scheduling appointments, completing registration forms, and navigating insurance coverage and billing processes. Serve as a point of contact for patients to address questions, concerns, and barriers to care.
• Patient Engagement: Engage with patients proactively to promote adherence to treatment plans and preventive care measures. Follow up with patients to monitor their progress, address any challenges they may encounter, and reinforce positive health behaviors.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of patient interactions, care plans, and referrals within the electronic health record system. Collect and analyze data to track patient outcomes, identify trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of care coordination efforts.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing the patient experience and improving outcomes. Provide feedback and suggestions for process improvements based on patient feedback and experiences.
• Developmental Disabilities Care Coordination: Coordinate healthcare, behavioral health, educational, social service, and community-based supports for patients with developmental disabilities and other special needs.
• Family and Caregiver Support: Provide guidance and assistance to family members and caregivers.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration with Behavioral Health, Primary Care, specialty providers, schools, regional centers, and community partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:
• High School Diploma or GED
• Current licensure or certification as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Certified Medical Assistant
• Experience working in a healthcare setting, preferably in a care coordination or patient advocacy role.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and compassionately.
• Knowledge of healthcare systems, including insurance coverage, medical terminology, and healthcare regulations.
• Empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to help others navigate challenging situations.
• Proficiency in electronic health record systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment. All LCTHC employees are expected to:
-Provide the highest possible level of service to clients;
-Promote teamwork and cooperative effort among employees;
-Maintain safe practices; and
-Abide by the LCTHC policies and procedures as they may from time to time be updated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Sitting / Mobility: Approximately 70% of time is spent working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 30%) is spent moving around work areas. Communication: Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, Board members, members of outside agencies, in person, by telephone, and by email. Vision: Ability to effectively use a computer screen and interpret printed materials, memos, and other appropriate paperwork. Lifting / Carrying: Ability to occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing no more than 25 pounds. Stooping / Kneeling: Ability to access files/stock supplies in low cabinets and shelves. Reaching / Handling: Ability to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment, and supplies. Use of standard office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and fax. Work is performed in an office/clinic environment, continuous contact with other staff and the public.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Preference may be given to qualified Native American Indians according to the Indian Preference Hiring Act, CFR 25 USC 472. Other than Indian Preference, Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Inc. adheres to all provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunities Act.

NOTICE OF DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT REQUIREMENT: LCTHC is committed to maintaining a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace. LCTHC believes that a healthy, productive workforce free from the effects of drugs is very important to all employees and patients. Substance abuse is incompatible with the health, safety, efficiency and the success of LCTHC.
Employees who are under the influence compromise LCTHC’S interests, endanger their own and the health and safety of others and can cause a number of other work-related problems. As a condition of employment, each applicant receiving a job offer from LCTHC must take and pass the required drug screen test.

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability:
This act was enacted to deal with three main areas with regard to patient information.
• Security of health information
• Standards of electronic transactions
• Privacy of individually identifiable health information

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE
The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or work environment change.

Lake County Tribal Health is an At-Will Employer. Either the employee or LCTHC can terminate the employment at will, without advance notice, at any time, with or without cause.