Resource Specialist

Overview

Reporting to the Adult Resource Office Supervisor, the Resource Specialist carries out 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 organizations. The Resource Specialist II will carry a full caseload. In addition, the Resource Specialist II precepts Resource Specialist I’s and holds programmatic responsibility for Resource Office-wide program(s).

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.

Responsibilities

• Acts as preceptor to Resource Specialist I.
• Organizes and leads resource information update sessions on disease centers for staff and as requested, for other departments.
• 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.
• May assist with daily hotel lists with contracted locations.
• May be responsible for updating QuickBase with new or changed resource information.
• Assists in training and orientation of new resource specialists.
• Conducts assessments of patients' financial status/eligibility for concrete resource assistance.
• As a member of a multidisciplinary team, secures assistance for patients through skillful matching of needs to available resources.
• Arranges assistance for concrete resources such as short-term accommodations, parking, and transportation.
• Makes timely referrals for patients to assistance and appropriate resources both within the hospital and through agencies, programs, and foundations in the community.
• Ensures 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 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.
• 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.
• Provides coverage for other Resource Specialists within the division as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None, may train students or interns.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma required.

Minimum Experience:

3 years related experience as a Resource Specialist or in healthcare, human services, education, or related field required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, human services, education, psychology, sociology, or related field preferred.

License/Certification/Registration:

N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• 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.
• Strong ability to communicate with all members of a multi-disciplinary team and promote and engage in relationship-building.
• Strong ability to interface with adults of varying ages.
• Attention to detail and record-keeping, including proficiency in "closing the loop".
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong ability to multi-task and capable of problem-solving complex issues through both creative problem-solving and strong analytical skills.
• Strong proficiency with online applications including Google Docs and MS Office, particularly Outlook, Excel, and Word.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.