Using your BSW degree to find a job as a Patient Navigator (aka Care Guide, Patient Guide)

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1 Using your BSW degree to find a job as a Patient Navigator (aka Care Guide, Patient Guide) What is a Patient Navigator? Patient navigators work with patients to implement the instructions provided by the medical team. At present, patient navigators primarily work with patients with chronic illness such as diabetes or heart failure, acting as case managers to help make sure that the patient is following their diet, taking their medications, keeping medical appointments. They assist the patient with the psycho/social issues that may keep them from adhering to their medical plan. Next Steps You do not need a certificate or a minor to prepare for a role as a patient navigator. A degree in social work provides you with all of the Traits, Qualifications Attributes identified with a Patient Navigator (see the chart below for a review of the identified Traits, Qualifications Attributes of a Patient Navigator the corresponding Practice Behaviors learned through your BSW). Individuals with a BSW would be a stronger cidate for these positions if they completed a 2 credit medical terminology course (at St. Catherine University INDI 2220) a course on Interprofessional work in health care (at St. Catherine University: Healthcare Teams: Roles Responsibilities INDI 1030 may need an override). This major these extra courses will help market yourself as a strong cidate to enter work in the health care industry as a patient navigator. Traits, Qualifications & Attributes of Patient Matching Practice Behaviors of Generalist Social Navigators Workers Open- minded flexible C : continuously recognize manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide practice Strong interpersonal skills ability to work collaboratively Comfortable working with patients who are non- English speaking /or low- income C (a) Engagement 2. establish rapport build effective 3. use empathy other interpersonal skills; 4. use the collaborative relationship to develop a mutually agreed- on focus of work desired outcomes. C2.1.4 Engage diversity difference in practice 3. engage in continuous self- assessment of one s social location within social power structures to minimize the influence of personal biases values in working with diverse groups; 4. recognize communicate their

2 understing of the importance of difference 5. view themselves as learners engage those with whom they work as informants; 6. recognize appreciate strengths across Friendly approachable C (a) Engagement 2. establish rapport build effective 3. use empathy other interpersonal skills; use the collaborative relationship to develop a mutually agreed- on focus of work desired outcomes. Excellent verbal communication skills C2.1.3 Apply critical thinking to inform communicate professional judgments. 3. demonstrate effective oral communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, colleagues; 4. demonstrate effective written communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, colleagues; 5. utilize skills processes of critical thinking to guide communication decision- making. Energetic enthusiastic Self- confident C2.1.4 Engage diversity difference in practice 1. Engage in cultural self- study; 2. Recognize the extent to which a culture s structure values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, create or enhance privilege power; 3. engage in continuous self- assessment of one s social location within social power structures to minimize the influence of personal biases values in working with diverse groups; 4. recognize communicate their understing of the importance of difference 5. view themselves as learners engage those with whom they work as informants; 6. recognize appreciate strengths across Willing to help people without enabling or encouraging dependency

3 Elicits cooperation while acknowledging divergent viewpoints respond accordingly; sources types of data. C2.1.4 Engage diversity difference in practice 4. recognize communicate their understing of the importance of difference 5. view themselves as learners engage those with whom they work as informants; 6. recognize appreciate strengths across C (b) Assessment 3. develop mutually agreed- on intervention goals objectives Demonstrates integrity discretion C2.1.2 Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice. 1. continuously recognize manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide practice; 2. make ethical decisions by applying stards of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (NASW, 2008), as applicable, of the International Federation of Social Workers/ International Association of Schools of Social Work Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles (IFSW, 2004), of the Minnesota Board of Social Work (MBSW, 2005) as appropriate other codes of ethics; 3. tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts; 4. apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions. Two year of college- level coursework Your degree in social work meets this requirement Bilingual, as needed, for the patient populations served

4 Well- developed skills using computer applications, internet Interest in health care must become comfortable with medical pharmacological terminology Adept at eliciting patient concerns feedback; will ask patients what they think, rather than just telling them what to do Recognizes that the aim is to assist patients families in developing skills confidence to help themselves We recommend that students take a 2- credit course in medical terminology & the IPE course in the HSSH. C (a) Engagement 2. establish rapport build effective 3. use empathy other interpersonal skills; 4. use the collaborative relationship to develop a mutually agreed- on focus of work desired outcomes. C (b) Assessment 1. collect, organize, interpret client system data; 2. assess client system strengths challenges; 3. develop mutually agreed- on intervention goals objectives; 4. select appropriate prevention/intervention strategies.

5 Astute awareness of human nature environmental factors; can recognize why a patient is struggling; attune with holistic barriers to success Content to see others work for themselves; does not encourage or enable dependency; will not unduly internalize a patient s failure as their own personal or professional failure respond accordingly; sources types of data. C2.1.7 Apply knowledge of human behavior the social environment 1. utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the processes of engagement, assessment, prevention/intervention, evaluation, ending; 2. critically analyze apply knowledge to underst person environment; 3. apply the multidimensional concepts of bio/psycho/social/spiritual/cultural perspective to social work practice on the micro, mezzo, macro levels. respond accordingly; sources types of data. Possess a bit of life experience, to enhance credibility increase the chances of finding some common ground with each patient Traits, Qualifications & Attributes of Patient Navigators taken from Allina Health System s Care CoPilot guide- role/care- guide- attributes/