Benefits Navigator

Job Summary

Madrone Care Network, a palliative care provider is hiring for a part time - full time benefits navigator in both Mendocino and Humboldt Counties.

The Benefits Navigator assists Madrone Care Network's (MCN) Social Work Department with various tasks that support an increase in quality of life for our palliative care patients. Duties include completing support paperwork for patients' Social Security disability claims, helping patients renew their Partnership Medi-Cal coverage, outreaching to patients, and providing advocacy, under the direction of the social workers.

This role is central in contributing to a seamless patient experience—building trust, alleviating confusion, and coordinating benefits across multiple organizations. The Benefits Navigator facilitates clear and empathetic communication, connecting with patients and caregivers in person, via phone, secure messaging, and other communication platforms to help them navigate benefit pathways, understand next steps, and feel fully supported.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provides disability claim support to the Social Work Department and patients, including completing Social Security reports and forms, uploading them into the electronic health record (EHR), and submitting them to the Social Security Administration. Works directly with patients and their families to provide education and support through the process of filing claims for various benefits
• Organizes and completes documentation supporting patients' Partnership Medi-Cal coverage. Scanning pertinent documentation into the EHR, obtaining signed ROIs for Social Services in our service area, and helping patients maintain their health insurance coverage.
• Maintains an ongoing list of assigned tasks and reviews the list regularly with the Social Work Manager and/or IAT Manager. Asks for direction as needed and notifies the assigning social worker when the task is completed. Updates relevant spreadsheets as needed.
• Calls relevant social services agencies to confirm receipt of paperwork, and documents receipt in the EHR.
• Prepares and e-mails/mails patients various needed paperwork.
• Maintains date of issue for Partnership Medical and SSI/SSDI benefits for patients.
• Utilizes various platforms including G Suite, Cerner/Epic, and others as needed.

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Model The Madrone Way by delivering patient and family-centered care that is holistic, respectful, flexible, and grounded in compassion and clinical excellence. The Benefits Navigator actively supports this mission through clear communication, empathetic service, and collaboration across disciplines.
• Lives MCN's Core Values in all interactions:
• Patient Care – Supports timely, whole-person care that aligns with each patient's goals and needs.
• Compassion – Brings openness, empathy, and kindness to every encounter with patients, caregivers, and team members.
• Team – Contributes meaningfully to a collaborative, interdisciplinary care model where all voices and strengths are valued.
• Sustainability – Works with integrity and efficiency, helping ensure long-term value and impact for the organization and those it serves.
• Fun – Cultivates joy and connection in the meaningful moments we create with each other and the patients we serve.
• Upholds privacy and professional standards, maintaining full HIPAA compliance, following all organizational policies and procedures, and demonstrating sound judgment and integrity in all tasks.
• Fosters collaborative relationships with internal teams, community partners, and caregivers by demonstrating strong listening, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Stays organized, with attention to detail and readiness to respond to changing volumes, urgent needs, or evolving care requirements.
• Supports team wellbeing and sustainability by practicing safe work habits, helping maintain operational flow, and contributing to a workplace focused on staff growth, resource alignment, and the long-term success of MCN's mission.
• Supports day-to-day operations and perform other duties as assigned, aligned with patient, caregiver, and community needs—and in service of the organization's commitment to walk with patients as they live the remainder of their lives.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT, TOOLS OR MACHINERY:

The following equipment, with the exception of the employee's personal vehicle, will be necessary to effectively perform the job functions described:

• Laptop computer or I-pad
• Cell phone
• Facsimile machine
• Photocopier/scanner
• Personal vehicle

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

• Mobility: Ability to sit for extended periods, as well as frequent walking, standing, bending, and reaching.
• Manual Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to operate office equipment, type, handle paperwork, and perform data entry tasks.
• Communication: Ability to hear and communicate effectively verbally and in writing with patients, caregivers, team members, and community partners, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Visual Requirements: Ability to read, review, and analyze written documents and electronic records.
• Lifting Requirements: Ability to lift, carry, or move items weighing up to 10 lbs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current California Driver's License, auto insurance and vehicle registration required
• 1 Year experience working in care coordination, case management, and/or a healthcare setting required
• Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills, proactively taking initiative and comfortable interfacing with patients
• Advanced computer skills with capacity to access patient records. Experience in electronic medical records is preferred.
• Capacity to remain organized, prioritize and multi-task and work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate respect and professionalism toward all patients, caregivers, and colleagues, regardless of their circumstances, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs, or political affiliation.
• Bi-Lingual in Spanish preferred
• A Bachelor's degree preferred

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $ $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week

Language:

• Spanish and English - Bi-Lingual (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person