Cancer Screening Community Health Associate

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:  

Cancer Screening Community Associate as a primary staff member of the Neighborhood Health’s cancer screening program to assist timely diagnosis of cancer in vulnerable populations. This role ensures that patients are connected to the cancer screening and diagnostic services in a timely fashion and that patient data is accurately collected, tracked, analyzed, and reported to funding agencies. Incumbent will be responsible for updating and maintaining the cervical cancer screening and colorectal cancer screening database; assisting patients with scheduling their follow-up pap smear, colposcopy and/ or LEEP appointments as needed; conducting appointment and assessment calls with patients; reminding patients of appointments and completion of cancer screening; responding to patient queries over the phone; checking on receipt of results; and assisting patients with completing financial aid applications if patients need to go to the local hospital.

DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: (Essential Functions: Duties and responsibilities noted with bullets are the essential functions of the job). 

Patient Outreach & Education:

Engage with patients to provide education on colorectal and cervical cancer, including risk factors, prevention strategies, and the importance of screening.

• Offer personalized guidance to patients regarding appropriate screening methods (e.g., colonoscopy, fecal occult blood tests for colorectal; Pap smear, HPV testing for cervical cancer).
• Assist patients in understanding screening guidelines, eligibility, and scheduling procedures.

Screening Coordination & Navigation:

• Coordinate and schedule screening appointments for eligible patients, ensuring timely follow-ups and ensuring they have all necessary information about the procedure.
• Support patients in overcoming barriers to screening, such as transportation, financial challenges, and scheduling conflicts.
• Track and monitor patient progress throughout the screening process, from initial outreach to follow-up results.

Patient Advocacy & Support:

• Serve as a key point of contact for patients, offering support and encouragement during the screening process, and addressing any concerns or anxiety related to the procedures.
• Ensure that patients are informed about next steps, including potential follow-up care, biopsy results, or referrals for treatment if needed.
• Provide emotional support and resources to individuals with abnormal screening results, connecting them to appropriate medical care and community resources.

Data Management & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of patient interactions, screenings completed, follow-ups, and any referrals made.
• Monitor and report on screening outcomes, ensuring compliance with program goals and deadlines.
• Assist with data collection for quality improvement initiatives and compliance with state and federal screening programs.

Community Outreach & Partnerships:

• Build relationships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and advocacy groups to promote cancer screening awareness and improve access to services.
• Collaborate with primary care providers, specialists, and other team members to ensure seamless care coordination for patients.

Continuous Learning & Professional Development:

• Stay up to date with the latest screening guidelines, cancer prevention strategies, and best practices for patient navigation.
• Participate in training sessions, workshops, and conferences to enhance skills and knowledge related to cancer screening, patient advocacy, and healthcare disparities. 

Skills, Competencies, Education 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, nursing, social work, healthcare administration, or a related field (preferred). 

Experience:

• Experience in patient navigation, case management, public health, or a healthcare-related field, particularly with a focus on cancer screening, prevention, or oncology.
• Experience working with diverse, underserved populations preferred.
• Experience working in public health or health care highly preferred
• Experience with data management: in creating detailed Excel spreadsheets, and maintaining and tracking data 
• Experience working in an EMR, or database preferred (training provided)

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of colorectal and cervical cancer screening guidelines and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to explain complex information in a clear and compassionate manner.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
• Organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.
• Proficient in using electronic health records (EHR) systems and other patient tracking tools. Training is provided 
• Knowledge of HIPAA medical privacy requirements (training provided)
• Familiarity with medical terms and technology (not required, but desired)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus, but not required.

Personal Attributes:

• Compassionate, empathetic, and nonjudgmental, with a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Culturally sensitive and aware of the challenges faced by different patient populations in accessing care.