Job Title: Patient Navigator & Community Health Worker
FLSA: Hourly “Non-Exempt”
Pay Scale: U-11
Base Salary: $ 30.54/hour
Bilingual: Bilingual Required
Representation: Represented
Department: Patient Support
Reports to: Mobile Health Program Supervisor
At Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, we honor all members of our community and acknowledge the dignity of each person we serve. Our purpose is to provide high quality, comprehensive primary health care to the communities of Washington and Yamhill counties with a special emphasis on migrant and seasonal farm workers and a view to removing barriers to health care. We strive to provide an environment that welcomes and values the people we employ and serve.
If you are unsure whether you meet all the required qualifications for this role but are interested and passionate about this potential position, we encourage you to apply.
Job Summary: The Patient Navigator &Community Health Worker (CHW) for the Mobile Health Program performs essential patient navigation, outreach, and care coordination functions in support of multiple mobile and community-based health programs, including Mobile Primary Care, the Farmworker Outreach Program (FOP), the Center for Addiction Triage and Treatment (CATT), and Low Acuity Transitional Services (LATS)/Medical Respite. This position works under general supervision and carries out standardized workflows while exercising independent judgment within established protocols. The Patient Navigator & Community Health Worker operates in field-based and mobile environments and supports patients with complex medical, behavioral health, substance use, and social needs. Responsibilities include patient navigation, insurance eligibility support, harm reduction education, and operational support for mobile clinics, including driving the Mobile Health unit as assigned.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The duties listed below reflect the core responsibilities of the classification and are not intended to be exhaustive. Duties may vary based on program needs and operational priorities.
Outreach & Field-Based Activities
• Participate in mobile clinics, outreach events, shelters, farmworker camps, and community partner locations.
• Conduct proactive, field-based patient engagement, navigation, and follow-up.
• Drive and operate the Mobile Health unit after required training and authorization.
• Assist with mobile clinic setup, breakdown, patient flow, and supply management.
• Conduct community canvassing and outreach to underserved populations.
Patient Navigation & Care Coordination
• Provide navigation and care coordination for medical, dental, addiction treatment, behavioral health, and social services.
• Assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, including transportation, insurance, and system navigation.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up care.
• Support patient understanding of care plans, medications, and next steps.
• Coordinate and support medication delivery per program workflows.
Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Eligibility & Enrollment Support:
• Conduct basic OHP eligibility screenings.
• Assist with OHP applications and renewals.
• Refer complex cases to Eligibility Specialists.
• Document eligibility activities in Epic.
Health Education & Harm Reduction:
• Provide culturally appropriate health education.
• Deliver harm reduction education and supplies per protocol.
Administrative Responsibilities:
• Document encounters in Epic.
• Support scheduling: Patient registration, reminder calls, and outreach tracking.
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA.
HIPAA Requirements:
The Community Health Worker will have access to PHI in the course of their duties. CHWs will use PHI to assist patients with the process of applying for insurance coverage, schedule patients, transport patients, and coordinate care for patients. Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated records set to which this employee will have access include patient demographic information and the full medical record, demographic functions of the practice management system.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
• Commitment to trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and health equity.
• Ability to serve individuals with complex medical, behavioral health, or substance use needs.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency in Epic and Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver’s license required with a clean driving record; must meet organizational driving eligibility requirements.
• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision.
• Excellent customer service skills.
Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
Education and Experience Required:
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Oregon CHW certification required or must be obtained within 6 months of hire.
• 4 years experience in community health, outreach, mobile health programs, or public health preferred.
• Experience working with OHP navigation, substance use disorder populations, farmworker communities, or unhoused individuals strongly preferred.
Behavioral Competencies:
Accountability
Role model VG’s mission, vision, and shared values
Customer-Focus
Listen to the voice of the customer and strive to delight them by exceeding their expectations.
Teamwork
If someone needs help, help them.
Initiative
Be innovative, apply fresh ideas, and continuously improve how you do your work.
Confidentiality
Maintain strict confidentiality and respect for the privacy of others.
Ethical
Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and stewardship in all encounters at work.
Respect
Demonstrate consideration and appreciation for co-workers and patients.
Communication
Demonstrate the ability to convey thoughts and ideas as well as understand perspective of others.
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 40 lbs. of supplies or equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions during outreach events.
• Ability to safely enter and exit mobile units, outreach vehicles, and community sites.
Working Environment/Physical Hazards:
• Work occurs in mobile clinics, outdoor settings, farms, shelters, and other community environments.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, public settings, and frequent travel is expected.
Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, mobile environment serving diverse populations.
Travel Requirements
• This position requires regular travel across Washington and Yamhill Counties, including occasional evening or weekend outreach during seasonal or special events.
Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Equipment used:
• Office equipment
• Computer: data entry and word processing
• Telephone, fax, copier, scanner, printer.
Immunization:
Staff members must meet immunizations requirements as stated in VGMHC’s immunization policy and state and federal guidelines.
Job description represents a general outline of the essential and major job duties, functions and qualifications required. They cannot be all-inclusive and comprehensive due to the dynamic nature of work performed to accomplish VGMHC’s Mission.
VGMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from consideration for employment because of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, marital status, or physical challenges. The policy applies not only to recruitment and hiring practices but also includes affirmative action in the area of placement, promotion, transfer, rate of pay and termination.