Ochsner Health Careers | Search Jobs | Research and Patient Coord. - At-Risk Patients

We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate.  We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways. 

At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters.  Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today! 

This job profile outlines a critical role for improving access to healthcare services and resources for individuals living with or at high risk for certain conditions, including HIV, Hepatitis C, STIs, severe injection-related infections (SIRI), and other health concerns linked to social vulnerability, drug use, or poor healthcare retention. The primary focus is on patient navigation, linkage to care, and empowerment, with an emphasis on reducing health inequities and improving health outcomes for these populations.

Job Description:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Education

Required - Highschool Diploma or GED

Preferred - Bachelor’s Degree

Work Experience

Required - 1 year in clinical, research-related, or social services patient navigation setting working directly with patients at high risk for the following: HIV, Hepatitis C, other sexually transmitted infections, Severe Injection-related Infections (SIRI), history of non-adherence or low retention to health care, high social vulnerability, and/or drug overdose.

Preferred - Experience in Case Management, Community based organizations, FQHC’s or Social Service and Health Care organizations working directly with high-risk patients. HIV counseling and testing certification. Peer Support Specialist certification. Mental Health First aid training or equivalent training in crisis intervention, de-escalation, or other strategies related to behavioral health crisis intervention.

Certifications

Required – NONE

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Skilled in providing tailored, client-centered navigation and support for high-risk patients, addressing individual needs and overcoming barriers to care. Experienced in delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate care and education for diverse populations, with a strong understanding of social, economic, and environmental factors affecting health and access to care.
• Skilled in effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare professionals to ensure clear understanding of care options and available resources. Ability to provide effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams, coordinating services across healthcare settings and community resources.
• Ability to discuss sensitive topics, including sexual behavior, STIs, drug use, and gender care, in a non-judgmental manner.
• Strong critical thinking, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task and learn new techniques quickly. Proficient with Windows-based applications, various software packages, and data entry, including Epic.
• Knowledgeable about medical and clinical research terminology, ICH ethical guidelines, and the regulatory requirements for clinical trials.
• Ability to be flexible and able to travel between facilities, working a varied schedule including on-call, weekend, and night shift.

Job Duties

• Identifies, recruits, and screens study or program participants for eligibility via phone, clinic, and other settings, including off-site community settings, as needed.
• Adheres to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines in all trial activities. Coordinates patient activities related to clinical trials, acting as a liaison between the patient and Principal Investigator (PI).
• Arranges tests and procedures per protocol, reporting results to the investigator, performs clinical lab activities and maintains study supplies and equipment, and develops and maintains documentation for clinical trials and patient care. Additionally, enters data into sponsor-specific systems, supports data coordination, resolves queries, and transcribes information across internal and external platforms.
• Customizes patient communication and care approach, ensuring privacy, appropriate introductions, and clear explanations. Provides tailored one-on-one support, education, and navigation services regarding prevention strategies, treatment adherence, harm reduction, and PrEP, and provides culturally appropriate referrals and services.
• Provides counseling and results for HIV, HCV, and syphilis testing.
• Works closely with treatment and PrEP providers to ensure patients, especially those facing social barriers, can access and remain in care.
• Maintains regular contact with patients through phone, text, virtual communication, and in-person visits; attends appointments as needed.
• Monitors and assists with treatment retention, medication adherence, medication access, and provides other types of counseling or education as necessary.
• Participates in community outreach and assists with mobile health unit operations.
• Performs other duties as required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns. The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental 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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to drive and conduct work in off-site community locations and to follow up with patients outside of the healthcare setting. Sometimes this will require meeting patients at their homes and in public areas. Sometimes this will require meeting patients in and around the mobile health unit.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.   (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington,and Washington D.C.

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Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.