Patient Navigator

Harmony Health is a Tribally owned wellness clinic that treats a broad-spectrum population of Native and Non-Native patients. Harmony is established to provide those with substance use disorders whole person care: primary care, infectious disease, and mental health care. We are building a team of dedicated and compassionate individuals who align with this mission.

Harmony Health brings an innovative model of highly individualized, compassionate care to patients with -substance use disorder. From the moment someone walks through the door of our state-of-the-art outpatient facility, they will encounter our thoughtfulness and intention for a humanizing and respectful experience with us. The comforting and safe setting of our nature-inspired facility and the friendly, professional attitude of our staff help to define our journey with each patient - and with each other - from day one.

Each employee at Harmony Health creates their own ripple effect in the larger circles of the families and communities that we touch.

We are currently seeking a Patient Navigator to support our clinic in Perris, CA. This position will report to the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Manager and will work in collaboration with clinic leadership and OTS leadership.

Indian Preference applies. Qualified Indian (American Indian or Alaskan Native) applicants will receive preference in accordance with 25 U.S.C. § 5323 and 25 U.S.C. § 472a.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Patient Navigator serves as a compassionate, reassuring first point of contact for individuals entering opioid treatment and substance use disorder services. Reporting to the OTP Manager, this role guides patients through the initial intake and admissions experience, gathering registration details, providing emotional support, and coordinating wraparound social services including housing, transportation, food assistance, and medical care navigation.

We are looking for an empathetic, organized, and adaptable candidate who excels at patient advocacy and community resource coordination. The ideal candidate balances administrative entry and cross-coverage support (floating to front office reception or medical assistant duties when needed) with deep cultural humility, maintaining an optimistic, non-judgmental demeanor for patients beginning their recovery journey.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Patient Navigation, Intake & Admission Support

• Guide patients through the intake and registration process, ensuring a seamless, welcoming, and refined admission experience
• Perform patient registration and intake functions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, entering referral details, income verification, and insurance coverage data
• Schedule new and returning patients for medical, clinical, and counseling appointments, accurately tracking attendance, cancellations, and no-shows
• Assist patients daily with critical resource connection, including primary care/specialty care coordination, housing referrals, and transportation support

Community Resource Coordination & External Liaison

• Build, update, and maintain a comprehensive local community resource database featuring social service agencies, food banks, housing providers, and harm-reduction networks
• Act as an operational liaison with local emergency rooms, probation officers, jail authorities, and external service providers to streamline care coordination
• Participate in community health fairs, outreach events, and local workshops to raise awareness of clinic resources and intake processes
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with current and prospective referral sources

Clinical Support & Cross-Coverage

• Collect body fluid samples, oral toxicology swabs, and urine specimens for admissions and ongoing treatment monitoring
• Administer point-of-care screenings, including pregnancy tests, TB skin tests, and breath alcohol testing as delegated
• Properly label, log, and package specimens for laboratory courier pick-up or shipping
• Cross-train and float to Medical Assistant or Front Office Receptionist positions as needed, providing coverage for patient check-in, phone management, and administrative duties

Patient Advocacy, Safety & Compliance

• Serve as a dedicated advocate for patients and families navigating recovery, maintaining a patient-centered, trauma-informed environment
• Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and organizational policies regarding client records and releases of information
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary team members, providers, counselors, and external agencies
• Follow all safety, infection control, and emergency protocols, adapting promptly to operational updates

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Minimum 1 year of professional administrative, medical office, patient navigation, or social services experience
• Active American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (or ability to obtain prior to start date)
• Proficiency with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Windows environments, and data entry platforms
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology, healthcare front-office workflows, and insurance verification (Medi-Cal/Medicaid)
• Ability to pass background screening, drug screen, and any applicable state, federal, or tribal credentialing requirements
• Ability to provide health clearance and tuberculosis (TB) clearance
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of patient navigation, case management, or intake experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting, OTP/MOUD facility, or behavioral health clinic
• Knowledge of traditional forms of governance, tribal customs, and Native American cultural traditions
• Experience collaborating with community partners, social service agencies, and legal/probation systems
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish

SKILLS

The ideal candidate embodies the following:

• Deep empathy, active listening skills, and an optimistic, customer-first mindset
• Strong accuracy and attention to detail in data entry and patient record-keeping
• Ability to remain calm, focused, kind, and supportive in emotionally demanding or high-stress situations
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage resource connection and intake navigation simultaneously
• Flexibility, versatility, and willingness to float across front-office, administrative, and clinical support roles
• Commitment to patient dignity, non-judgmental care, privacy, and cultural humility

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to keyboard or type, handle materials used in performing the essential functions of the classification, and reach with hands and arms. The employee will be asked to perform repetitive behaviors (e.g., typing and data entry). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds (think boxes of paper). Specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities required by this classification includes those which permit the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person, by telephone. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must also analyze and evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action.

We support our team through a competitive salary and benefits package and opportunities for continuing education and professional advancement. Harmony Health Center staff will also be cross trained to meet the needs of patients and to make each day a success. On-the-job training will empower team members, as we believe the excellence of the clinic and the professional development of our staff complement one another.

Please visit www.harmony.health for more information.