Job Summary
Michigan Medicine is seeking a dedicated, self-directed Family Navigator to support families of children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH). The primary objective of this role is to bridge the gap between clinical care and everyday family life for families served at Michigan Medicine.
This is a unique, non-clinical, peer-support position. The Family Navigator will draw upon their own lived experience as a parent of a child who is D/HH to provide authentic empathy, guidance, and care coordination. You will serve as a trusted guide, helping families understand medical recommendations, access community and state-wide resources, and confidently advocate for their child's educational and developmental needs.
Responsibilities*
- Act as a peer mentor, providing deep active listening, emotional validation, and authentic empathy to families navigating a new or complex D/HH diagnosis.
- Help families understand and navigate the continuum of care across Michigan Medicine.
- Empower parents to advocate for their child within both medical systems and educational environments (such as IEP/540 plans).
- Connect families to vital state-wide and local community resources, support groups, and financial/educational assistance programs.
- Collaborate closely with pediatric audiologists, otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers to ensure seamless care.
- Organize and maintain comprehensive resource guides for diverse communication modalities and family choices.
- Maintain meticulous organizational records of family interactions and resource referrals.
- Independently manage a daily schedule, balancing hospital-based family visits, phone/virtual consultations, and team meetings.
- Participate actively in the programmatic rollout and ongoing project evaluation.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience and education;
- Exceptional organizational skills, strong time management, and a high degree of self-direction/autonomy.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience in peer support, crisis navigation, or community advocacy where empathetic engagement is a primary tool;
- Prior professional experience in medical care coordination, case management, or patient navigation;
- Prior experience in early childhood education, special education, or deaf education;
- Familiarity with Michigan Medicine systems or state-specific D/HH resources including Early On, Childrens Special Health Care Services, etc.;
- Knowledge of Epic/MiChart;
- Knowledge of UMHS/University of Michigan policies and procedures
- An adult with childhood hearing loss or the parent/primary caregiver of a child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH). This lived experience is essential for providing authentic peer-to-peer mentoring;
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
This position is fully funded through a grant from a private foundation.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.