Job Description

The Patient Navigator, RN EDSP supports the Emergency Department Screening Program (EDSP) by facilitating routine opt-out screening follow-up for HIV and Syphilis. This role focuses on patient education, results disclosure per protocol, care coordination, linkage to treatment, and collaboration with internal and external partners to ensure continuity of care after ED visit. The RN Patient Navigator serves as a key liaison between Emergency Department staff, patients, community clinics, and public health partners to reduce barriers to care, improve health outcomes. Actively and consistently contributes to department operations and communications, behaves in a manner consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Pipeline Health, upholding standards of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you) patient communication.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Essential Functions:

• Advocate for and normalize routine opt-out screening and treatment for HIV and syphilis within the Emergency Department, including supporting the use of visible signage and patient outreach materials.
• Establish and maintain referral pathways with community partners, including Ryan White clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), public health departments, and community-based organizations.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for EDSP follow-up by responding to calls, emails, messages, and texts from ED staff, community providers, local health departments, and patients.
• Provide patient education and result disclosure related to STIs and HIV in alignment with provider-directed treatment plans and hospital policy.
• Facilitate timely linkage to care, including coordination of confirmatory testing, treatment initiation, and follow-up appointments.
• Maintain ongoing communication with patients to support appointment adherence, address barriers, and encourage engagement in care.
• Implement and maintain systems to confirm treatment completion and successful linkage to ongoing care, in collaboration with public health and community partners.
• Connect patients to supportive services addressing social determinants of health (e.g., transportation, housing, food insecurity, mental health, substance use treatment).
• Complete timely, accurate documentation in the electronic health record and required data collection systems.
• Aggregate and report EDSP metrics (monthly/quarterly), as required, to support program monitoring, reporting, and quality improvement.
• Uses AIDET in interactions with patients and family members.
• Acts with a sense of urgency when performing tasks.
• Basic unit/department maintenance such as keeping files, drawers, cabinets free from unnecessary clutter.
• Reports on any equipment and or environmental issues for repair.
• Abides by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
• Speaks up to stop the line and escalates potential safety events if necessary.
• Completes and attends monthly training assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Standards:

• Demonstrate a nonjudgmental, affirming, and harm-reduction–focused approach in all patient interactions.

• Model trauma-informed, culturally humble, and patient-centered care practices.
• Use non-stigmatizing language when discussing sexual health, substance use, transmission behaviors, and populations disproportionately impacted by STIs/HIV.
• Maintain professional boundaries, patient confidentiality, and ethical standards at all times.
• Advocate for equitable access to care and actively support health equity initiatives within the ED.
• Treats everyone as their customer; utilizes scripting and other tools to ensure consistency in customer service; Expresses recognition and shows appreciation to others; fully utilizes AIDET principles; responds quickly to handle requests, complaints and questions; displays a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, passion and care when interacting with patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff members.
• Using a lens of equity in all aspects of patient care delivery, education, and research to promote policies and practices to allow opportunities for all to thrive and reach their potential, embracing ingenuity to service our customers.

Communication/Knowledge:

• Effectively educate patients on the effects, treatment options, and management of STIs and HIV.
• Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to support patient engagement, adherence, and informed decision-making.
• Provide coaching on prevention strategies, harm reduction, transmission reduction, medication adherence, and partner treatment options (including expedited partner therapy and HIV PrEP).
• Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based public health practices and current clinical guidelines related to Syphilis and HIV consistent with EDSP principles.
• Educate staff on best practices for documenting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and addressing patients in alignment with their identities.
• Wears nametag properly; follows dress code policy; answers phone correctly and promptly; is prepared for meetings; meets deadlines; does not participate in gossip; acts ethically and treats others with respect; respects customer’s and co-worker’s time; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and co-workers.

Collaboration/Teamwork:

• Collaborate closely with the ED Clinical Champion, ED physicians, nurses, laboratory staff, IT, and public health partners to ensure seamless EDSP operations.
• Participate as an active member of the interdisciplinary care team and support patient-led care planning.
• Work with community partners to identify opportunities for quality improvement, improved linkage rates, and culturally responsive care delivery.
• Support coverage planning and follow-up processes outside of standard Navigator working hours, as appropriate.
• Attends staff meetings; follows HIPAA guidelines; follows patient rights policy; complies with the compliance program; demonstrates knowledge of role in a disaster; demonstrates knowledge of fire and fire drill procedures; working knowledge of hospital emergency codes; always utilizes standard precautions in the clinical setting; safely manages the environment of care by demonstrating a working knowledge of the requirements of the: Life Safety program, Utilities Management program, Hazardous Materials program, Emergency Preparedness program, Safety Management program, Medical Equipment Management program, Security Management program.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Demonstrated commitment to harm reduction, stigma reduction, and health equity.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and supportively with diverse populations.
• Experience or strong interest in working with individuals disproportionately impacted by STIs/HIV including those experiencing housing instability, substance use disorders, or limited access to care.
• Working knowledge of electronic health record systems and data entry.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries in compliance with HIPAA and hospital policy.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities reflective of local community needs are preferred.
• Lived experience or strong connection to the communities served is highly valued.
• Critical thinking, service excellence and good interpersonal communication skills, ability to read/comprehend written instructions, strong organizational skills, ability to follow verbal instructions, and PC (computer) skills.
• A capacity to learn, synthesize, make critical judgments, work independently, place patients and families first, and collaborate with the team members who are recognized leaders within health care.