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The MGH Cancer Center Collaborative Care and Community Engagement Program (CCCEP) aims to increase access to person-centered care for patients affected by mental illness and cancer, particularly individuals who also encounter resource-related barriers to care. The CCCEP is recruiting a part-time (20 hrs/wk) Community Health Navigator to provide patient navigation support for a virtual tumor board research trial. The CHN’s role is to engage patients, build connection and rapport, understand patient priorities, administer patient assessments related to the research trial, and bridge communication between patients and clinicians. The CHN also builds relationships with community-based clinicians and collaborates with the patient’s care team in the hospital and community to address patient needs and goals. The CHN will aid patients and their caregivers in the coordination and completion of appointments inside the MGH Cancer Center and help decrease barriers to timely cancer care and treatment including barriers to technology use.
The CHN will be a patient liaison to the oncology, primary care, and mental health teams whose involvement will help to improve communication across systems and increase continuity of care. The CHN will engage the patient and the patient’s supports in the community, clinic, and inpatient hospital setting. The CHN interventions might include education, appointment reminders, help with insurance, transportation, navigating the Cancer Center, connecting the patient to psychosocial and/or palliative care teams, and physically accompanying the patient to appointments or assisting with joining appointments by phone or videoconference. While the CHN is not a clinical position, the position requires experience, knowledge, and openness to learn basic clinical concepts, particularly understanding of mental illness. Additionally, it will be important to understand when a referral to a licensed clinician is appropriate. Training and ongoing supervision will be provided by the social work and psychiatry team. Spanish language skills and experience working with patients affected by cancer and mental illness preferred.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide remote brief assessments of patient needs, priorities, and barriers to care for patients enrolled in the Virtual Tumor Board Trial, CHN may need to travel to MGH Danvers to complete assessments
• Participate in virtual tumor board meetings to present patient assessments and collaborate with team to establish tailored plan for the patient and/or caregiver
• Document plan in the patient’s medical record for the tumor board trial and present plan to patient and/or caregiver
• Contact patients over the phone to assist in setting up oncology appointments at the MGH Cancer Center and provide reminder phone calls prior to appointments
• Collaborate with patients, caregivers, community-based clinicians, and MGH Cancer Center care team to set goals, understand the patient’s priorities and values, and identify barriers to cancer and mental health care.
• Assist patient in connecting with supportive care services (psychosocial and palliative care, and social work), foster communication with community mental health team
• Provide culturally sensitive services to patients from different cultures.
• Maintain regular communication with the patient’s providers through clinical messages in EPIC and via emails, phone calls, and case review meetings; actively liaising with community-based supports and clinicians
• Provide advocacy, patient education, and support in accessing community-based and hospital-based programs.
• Be involved in additional evaluation and research activities in the program, as needed
• Screen medical records to assess patient needs prior to outreach QUALIFICATIONS:
The CHN position requires the ability to be self-directed, professional, and organized, and the ability to work as a patient advocate with people from different cultures and backgrounds. The position also requires openness to learning, and strong teamwork and communication skills .
SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
• BS or BA in Psychology, Social Work, or related field preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Two to three years of experience working in community or health settings preferred
• Strong preference for candidates with knowledge of and experience working with people with mental illness
• Demonstrated commitment to impacting the care of marginalized populations
• Experience working as a patient navigator/community health worker, or community mental health staff member (e.g. recovery support specialist) preferred
• Knowledge of mental health landscape in North Shore region strongly preferred
• Familiarity and/or experience with clinical research a plus
• Knowledge of the Core Competencies for Community Health Workers/Patient Navigators (as identified by Massachusetts, Department of Public Health) preferred:
o Outreach Methods and Strategies
o Client and Community Assessment
o Effective Communication
o Culturally Based Communication and Care
o Health Education for Behavioral Change
o Support, Advocate and Coordinate Care for Clients
o Apply Public Health Concepts and Approaches
o Community Capacity Building
o Writing and Technical Communication Skills
o Special Topics in Community Health
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member in multicultural settings.
• Ability to speak another language (particularly Spanish) a plus.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Applications, including Word and Excel.
• Strong time management, organizational and planning skills.
* Hybrid schedule with at least 2 days / week on site required
