Resource Specialist

Reporting to the Adult Resource Office Supervisor, the Resource Specialist I is responsible for the delivery of resource assistance and guidance to patients being treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This includes delivery of concrete resource services such as short-term accommodations, parking, patient assistance, and transportation; referrals to appropriate local, state, and federal assistance programs; as well as help with applications for assistance to non-profit foundations.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts assessments of patients' financial status/eligibility for concrete resource assistance and escalates complex eligibility/exceptions to Resource Specialist II.
• As a member of a multidisciplinary team, assists patients in securing assistance through skillful matching of needs to available resources, partners with Resource Specialist II as needed for support with higher complexity cases.
• Follows eligibility guidelines and rules with respect to assistance granted from internal resources.
• Arranges assistance whenever possible for concrete resources such as short-term accommodations, parking and transportation, following pod workflows/rotations.
• Makes timely referrals for patients to assist and provide appropriate resources both within the hospital and through agencies, programs and foundations in the community.
• Helps patients and their families navigate internal and external systems and serves as liaison between hospitals and the resource community.
• Provides detailed record-keeping, which may include the following: progress notes in the patient's medical record, documentation in a resource database tool, lodging reservations, and correspondence with members of the care team and with community resources, per pod documentation standards.
• Consistently scans internal and external environment to research and track new and available concrete resources for patients and families.
• Communicates resource specific information directly to patients or, as appropriate, their family members.
• Collaborates with social workers and other members of the care team as needed.
• May coordinate and lead resource information update sessions on his/her disease centers for staff, and, as requested, for other departments, as assigned within the pod.
• May be responsible for special projects and/or pilots, focused work teams or efforts, and or responsible for serving on a committee relevant to the Resource Specialist role.
• Provides coverage for other Resource Specialists and/or pods within the department as needed, including for extended periods based on patient and team needs, to ensure continuity of support.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High customer service and patient- and family-centered orientation; ability to demonstrate empathy in difficult situations.
• High level of cultural sensitivity and cultural humility. Strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communications skills, including on the phone and in writing.
• Ability to communicate with all members of a multi-disciplinary team and promote and engage in relationship-building.
• Ability to interface with adults of varying ages.
• Attention to detail and record-keeping, including proficiency in "closing the loop".
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to multi-task and capable of problem-solving complex issues through both creative problem-solving and strong analytical skills daily.
• Proficiency with online applications including Google Docs and MS Office, particularly Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

High School Diploma required. Bachelor's Degree Healthcare Administration, Human Services, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or other related field preferred. 1 year of related experience in Healthcare, Human Services, Education, or related field and/or volunteer experience strongly preferred. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Patient Contact:

Yes, Adult Patient Contact.

Special Working Conditions:

Hybrid: 2-3 days onsite/week.