Participant Navigator

Join Our Team!

At Wellness House, we are always looking for smart, dedicated experts who believe in a psychosocial approach to complement cancer care. A career with WH provides an opportunity to use your unique skills and talents to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.

We provide opportunities for staff growth, leadership development, and team building throughout the year. Processing of the work experience is supported through individual reflective supervision and weekly group supervision sessions. We value direct communication, a mindful approach, and work/life balance. Our staff culture is intentional in our efforts to acknowledge and make space for diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging in our work with each other and in our program delivery. From snack-and-greets to staff retreats, we make sure to give our staff a chance to connect.

A Meaningful Mission

Wellness House envisions a community where all people affected by cancer thrive. Offered at no cost, and as a complement to medical treatment, our programs educate, support, and empower participants in order to help them improve their physical and emotional well-being.

Summary of Position

• Department: Program Department
• Supervised by: Engagement and Education Manager
• Status: Full-time, salaried, non-exempt
• Hours: 40 hours per week; includes 2 evenings/week and 1 Saturday/month.
• Location: On-site at partner locations (70%) and main location in Hinsdale (30%)

The Participant Navigator (PN) builds relationships to raise awareness of Wellness House and increase referrals of new participants to all locations and online through community engagement, including a focused effort to expand awareness of Wellness House to the Prostate Cancer community throughout Chicagoland. This position will connect with new and existing participants of all cancer types and organizations to share information on Wellness House services available to anyone impacted by cancer and make intentional inroads into socially vulnerable Chicagoland communities and organizations to expand services within these areas. Additionally, the PN will coordinate all prostate-specific outreach and prostate programming to increase services for men affected by prostate cancer and their family, friends, and caregivers.

RESPONSIBILITIES (100% Program Responsibilities)

Direct Work with Participants (50%)

Participant Engagement

• Understand and support the participant engagement process (PEP) through regular PEP shifts and lead management follow-up to identify suitable Wellness House programs for new participants and provide support for cancer-related transitions.
• Facilitate entry to Wellness House programs through Cancer Care Collaborations, in-clinic consultations, and engaged tabling at partner locations throughout Chicagoland.
• Assist new participants in identifying goals for participation in Wellness House programs and follow up at appropriate intervals to monitor progress, provide resources, and assistance.
• Identify outside referral sources when needed and make appropriate referrals.

Program Facilitation

• Facilitate orientations, consultations, engagement experiences, survivorship programs, and partner programs as appropriate based on education, experience, and training.
• Facilitate psycho-educational workshops and events at all locations and support community-based programs and events as assigned.
• Assist with logistics related to Unique Boutique, including appointment scheduling, class registration, and post-class follow-up, as needed.
• Promptly record all service efforts into the database management system.

Community Engagement and Coordination (30%)

• Understand and support the community engagement process (CEP).
• Conduct a census of all potential partners/associated prostate related organizations in existing or new areas of service, including organizations providing direct services or those with relationships to prostate-connected organizations. Evaluate the impact of each organization, its quality of services, and population reach.
• Initiate direct communications and build relationships with each organization, introducing (or reminding of) Wellness House programs. Ascertain the needs specific to each organization and its participants, and share, regularly, Wellness House offerings that meet those needs.
• Meet directly with staff/patients/participants of each organization, including on-site information sessions and one-on-one meetings with patients during treatment.
• Represent Wellness House at community/medical meetings and identify existing working groups/committees appropriate for participation.
• Build a network of interrelated organizations and individuals and remind health care providers, Community Health Workers, administrators, program facilitators, volunteers and patients/participants of upcoming program details.
• Ask patients directly what types of communication work best for them, what organizations they work with, and whom they trust. Adjust our efforts to align with trusted and high-functioning processes and organizations.
• Send reminder emails and calls to participants about current and new programming.
• Cultivate assigned community partner and collaborator relationships and collaborate with managers to ensure programs are scheduled and facilitated

Program Outreach, Program Support, & Administration (15%)

• With ADOP & EEM, identify, establish, and maintain strategic and collaborative relationships with community partners, collaborators, and constituents to increase referrals.
• Provide education to professional groups such as physicians, nurse navigators, social workers, Community Health Workers (CHWs), and other allied health professionals on the benefits of psychosocial care and build awareness of Wellness House programs.
• Collaborate with ADOPs and managers to ensure all medical partners and collaborators have Wellness House materials appropriate to the setting.
• Participate in outreach through speaking engagements and community events
• Contribute to resource database for participant resources
• Participate in the evaluation of programs and tracking and reporting as assigned
• Provide input on policies and procedures as needed

Other (5%)

• Report to the Office Manager and Supervisor any observations of malfunction or inadequacy of the Wellness House facility that would compromise the safety of staff and participants or negatively impact the delivery of Wellness House programs.
• Protect the organization's value by keeping information confidential.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Perform general tasks and other duties as assigned.

Attendance at Meetings Required

• All Staff meetings, monthly
• Department team meetings, monthly or as needed (Program, Engagement, Events)
• Group Supervision, weekly
• One-on-one meetings with supervisor, as needed

Attendance at Events Required

• Annual Walk, work assignment will be given
• All Hot Topics, Program Events, Socials, & Summits: usually an evening or Saturday

Performance Measures:

To be filled in each year during annual evaluation, by employee and supervisor.

Education: Associate’s degree required and Bachelor’s degree preferred - in Public Health, Community Health, Communications or related field or equivalent work experience.

Experience: Minimum 2 years of professional experience. Experience in communications/outreach with a medical patient population, ideally a cancer population, preferred. Nonprofit experience is a plus.

Competencies:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred.
• Connected and knowledgeable about community resources and organizations in the South and West sides of Chicago. Skilled at engaging diverse leaders.
• Demonstrated result-oriented and highly ethical individual who possesses superb writing and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in planning in a team environment across all levels.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently while handling multiple priorities; possesses solid time management skills.
• Comfortable with technology. Highly skilled with Microsoft Office Products such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other software as required.
• Ability to present to groups in person and online; facilitate programs. Proficient in the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of audio-visual equipment and teleconference tools, such as Zoom, used for online, hybrid, and in-person presentations. Strong problem-solving skills to address technical challenges on the spot.
• Ability to lift and carry approximately 40 lbs. related to event equipment and materials. Physical stamina for event set-up, including moving furniture and arranging spaces.
• Commitment to cancer health equity and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB); commitment to the mission of Wellness House.

Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Wellness House is an EOE.

Benefits:

Employer paid Medical, Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, and AD&D insurance premiums

Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, Vision, and Pet Insurance benefits available

403(b) with employer match

Gym on-site

Generous sick and vacation time