Case Manager / Care Navigator

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Northeast Region

137-77 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354

Case Manager / Care Navigator

Tzu Chi Charity Mission & 1115 Waiver Initiative

Location: Flushing, Queens, NY (in-office; occasional home visits and community outreach)

Reports To: Charity Mission Leader and 1115 Project Coordinator

Job Type: Full-time, non-exempt

Funding: Primarily grant-funded through March 31, 2027, with continued funding anticipated through Tzu Chi Northeast Region resources thereafter

About the Role

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is an international humanitarian nonprofit serving underserved communities through its four core missions: charity, medicine, education, and humanistic culture. The Northeast Region is based in Flushing, Queens.

New York State’s 1115 Waiver Health Equity Reform (NYHER) program is a federally approved Medicaid initiative that addresses Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs) — food, housing, transportation, safety — by connecting Medicaid Members to community services. Tzu Chi Northeast Region participates as a CBO within the WholeYouNYC Social Care Network, led by Public Health Solutions.

The Case Manager / Care Navigator manages all incoming cases at Tzu Chi Northeast Region. Each case is screened and assessed for 1115 Waiver eligibility through Public Health Solutions; eligible cases are routed into 1115 Enhanced HRSN Services, while others are supported through Tzu Chi’s Charity Mission — SNAP enrollment, food pantry, hot meals, and emergency financial assistance — and connected to external community resources as needed. The role reports jointly to the Charity Mission Leader and the 1115 Project Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities

• Intake & screening: Conduct intake for all incoming cases; obtain consent; complete HRSN screenings using the NYS Accountable Health Communities (AHC) tool; develop individualized Social Care Plans.
• Eligibility pathway determination: Route screened cases through eligibility assessment with Public Health Solutions / 1115 SCN. Cases that meet criteria are navigated into 1115 Enhanced HRSN Services; cases that do not qualify are supported through Tzu Chi Charity Mission offerings and external community resources.
• 1115 navigation: For eligible cases, navigate participants to Enhanced HRSN Services (nutrition, housing, transportation, care management). Create and close referrals in the Unite Us platform.
• Tzu Chi Charity Mission support: For non-1115-eligible cases (or alongside 1115 services), connect participants to Tzu Chi’s Charity programs — SNAP enrollment, food pantry, hot meals, and emergency financial assistance.
• Community resource referrals: Refer participants to external federal, state, and local programs (e.g., WIC, ERAP, housing assistance) when needs fall outside both 1115 and Tzu Chi Charity scope.
• Follow-up & case closure: Monitor participant progress through regular calls or visits; update Social Care Plans as circumstances change; document closure when services are received.
• Documentation & compliance: Maintain accurate records in Unite Us and Tzu Chi systems per 1115 Waiver, SCN, and HIPAA standards; support audits and quality improvement activities.
• Collaboration & outreach: Participate in case review meetings with care coordinators, CHWs, and Tzu Chi teams; support outreach, educational sessions, and community events; mentor volunteers and interns.
• Partnerships: Collaborate with Public Health Solutions / WholeYouNYC SCN staff, Managed Care Organizations, healthcare systems, and other CBOs.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Community Health, Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or related field. 3+ years of equivalent experience may substitute. LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) preferred.
• Experience: 1–3+ years in care navigation, case management, community health, or social services. Medicaid, immigrant-serving CBO, or 1115 / HRSN experience strongly preferred.
• Language: Bilingual fluency in English and Mandarin required. Cantonese or Spanish is a significant plus; Traditional Chinese reading/writing preferred.
• Cultural competence: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse immigrant populations, particularly NYC’s Chinese-speaking community.
• Technology: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace Suite; willing to learn the Unite Us platform and other case management tools.
• Preferred: Familiarity with NYC community resources, social determinants of health, trauma-informed care, and Tzu Chi’s mission and values.

Work Conditions & Compensation

• In-office position based in Flushing, Queens; occasional home visits and community outreach within Queens, with limited travel to Manhattan or Brooklyn as needed.
• Occasional evening or weekend hours for community events.
• Salary range: #25-$28 hourly rate, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance and retirement benefit.

To Apply

Submit resume / CV and brief cover letter to: newyork_admin@tzuchi.us.

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.