The Digital Health Navigator, working as a Community Health Worker, works in partnership with the teams, staff and clinics across OHSU Health to contribute to programs that aim to improve access to digital health for Oregonians and SW Washingtonians. There are currently three focal points for this role.

 

First, the Digital Health Navigator delivers culturally appropriate digital health navigation support directly to/with OHSU Health patients, to support health system goals of increasing access to care. The Digital Health Navigator will build patient comfort, confidence and skills with digital health technology. Current efforts focus on supporting patients with successfully completing virtual/video outpatient/ambulatory visits through phone-based support. Important to this work is a relationship- building and coaching-first approach, meeting patients where they are to support their goals for care.

 

Second, the Digital Health Navigator will contribute subject matter expertise to support state-wide capacity building for digital health navigation through the Oregon ECHO Network. ECHO has received external funding to expand access to digital health technologies by training community- based organizations (CBOs) to provide digital health navigation to improve digital health literacy and connectivity for community members. Responsibilities will include: Contribute to the development of curriculum in a consultative role by sharing subject matter expertise; participate in program sessions (trainings), with possible delivery of components of sessions; and provide technical assistance for participating CBOs, including support for a Community of Practice on a monthly basis.

 

Third, the Digital Health Navigator will work on health education/promotion, which could include: developing and delivering culturally congruent and trauma informed health education and digital health navigation classes, presentations and written materials for a variety of audiences; develop systems and services that encourage patient engagement and increase health behavior change, such as for example community-based interventions, home visits and family system intervention. 

 

The Digital Health Navigator demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills, is self-directed, and is skilled at developing trusting relationships quickly. The incumbent is efficient and effective in assessing and delivering direct patient care, contributes to training and capacity-building, and is innovative, creative, and flexible. Ideally the incumbent is also fluent in Spanish and available to use these skills to communicate in Spanish with patients (verbal and written communications).

 

This role is a grant funded position for approximately 16-19 months (grant funding ends October 31, 2027). 

 

 

Direct Patient Services and Documentation and program development

• Respond to requests for support with digital health navigation, such as from care team members and/or patient self-referrals.
• Delivers culturally appropriate digital health navigation support directly to/with patients, to support health system goals of increasing access to care.
• Build patient comfort, confidence and skills with digital health technology using a relationship-building and coaching-first approach.
• Current efforts focus on supporting patients with successfully completing virtual/video outpatient/ambulatory visits through phone- based support.
• Call patients without a referral to ask if support is desired.
• Areas of knowledge include digital health (video conferencing, websites, computers, smartphones, internet) and how it can be used to access care for patients with different backgrounds, e.g. mother/baby, substance use, mental health, senior services, disability, basic needs (housing, food, clothing), chronic disease management, supportive counseling, and more. Behavioral activation is beneficial.
• Documents services appropriately in Electronic Health Record and/or in other locations, in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and in alignment with existing workflows to ensure continuity of care and continuous improvement. 
• Maintains availability via department standard means (phone, pager, email, etc).
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries as part of the care team.
• Works collaboratively with the digital health navigation team to enhance and adjust direct patient service. 

Oregon ECHO training and capacity-building

• Contributes to the development of curriculum in a consultative role, by sharing subject matter expertise about digital health navigation. 
• Participates in planning meetings, program sessions (trainings) for Community Based Organizations (CBOs), with the possible delivery of component(s) of trainings.
• Provides technical assistance for participating CBOs post-trainings, including through facilitating an ongoing effort to build shared practices and learnings across CBO participants (i.e. a Community of Practice).

Health Education/Promotion

• Develops and delivers culturally congruent and trauma informed health education classes, presentations, and written materials for a variety of audiences to include healthcare providers, community members, and patients. Such classes and materials could focus on system navigation, and digital health platform use by patients.
• Develops systems and services that encourage patient engagement and increase health behavior change. Innovation in this area may include community-based interventions, home visits, and/or family system intervention.

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• 2 years relevant work experience in mission-driven organization with one of those years being work experience with underserved populations with complex medical and social needs.  Preferred experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support, and assistance engaging with the healthcare system.

• Certification as Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) required.  Traditional Health Worker types include Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS), Personal Health Navigator (PHN) and Community Health Worker (CHW).  Type preference may be determined by service need.

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Excellent telephone communication skills.

• Must possess a valid motor vehicle driver license in good standing and must be eligible to operate a motor vehicle owned by OHSU or other agency; or demonstrate the ability to access transportation to meet the requirements of the position.

• BLS from AHA required. New hires will be enrolled and required to complete during orientation.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Comfort using websites, mobile apps and other computer and smartphone-based platforms/apps and interest in helping others learn how to use them.
• Understanding of Social Determinants of Health and role of SDH in healthcare.
• Ability to consistently, efficiently and accurately document service provision.
• Ability to work independently utilizing critical thinking, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Skill in developing and maintaining professional relationships quickly.
• Ability to plan and deliver interactive health education classes and presentations for a variety of groups.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma informed and patient centered care or willingness to learn.
• Ability to interpret and follow policies and procedures. 

• Bachelor’s degree
• One year of experience providing direct services for patients for underserved populations with complex medical and social needs 
• Experience working in a medical service delivery system or similar setting.
• Experience delivering trainings, health promotion/education and/or providing technical assistance. 
• Experience working with an electronic health record; EPIC platform preferred. -Interest and experience in program development, improvement, and assessment. 
• Spanish-speaking language skills that meet OHSU’s requirements for patient verbal and written communications in Spanish 

Frequent interruptions in an environment of frequent change and fluctuations.

May be exposed to body fluids, tissue, possible radiation exposure, and infectious processes.

Subject to computer work for several hours, as needed.

Able to utilize office equipment including computer, smartphone, and pager at workspace and in

community.

While currently, the majority of the work is anticipated to be provided from a remote/non-OHSU location,

role must have the ability to provide services and/or attend in-person meetings in the Portland metropolitan

region, perhaps daily as the position evolves.

We are Oregon's only public academic health center.

In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome.

OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu