Navigator - Behavioral Health

Job Title:                Navigator

Department:           Behavioral Health

Reports To:            Health Center Manager/Director of Behavioral Health

FLSA Status:         Non-Exempt

Wage Range the Company Expects to Pay: $21.00 - $23.15 per hour

 

SUMMARY 

The Navigator is the bridge for the Behavioral Health (BH) services within the CHC clinical network throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Under the supervision of the Director of Behavioral Health and Health Center Manager (if applicable), the primary role of the Navigator is to link patients into BH services as well as supporting the clinics with increased access to timely patient care. The Navigator will support the BH clinicians (Psychiatrist, LCSW, ACSW, and LMFT) by conducting case management activities, care coordination, and referral linkage. The Navigator must possess strong self-management strategies and communication, organization, and attention to detail skills.

 

It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of total care possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff's desire and ability to work together, individually, and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, cooperative, motivated, and organized at all times.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Additional duties may be assigned with or without prior notice.

 

Ensures behavioral health charts are in order with appropriate and completed forms, and verifies insurance and payer status as well as physical address and emergency contact information for all patients at every visit.

 

Assists patients with the completion of appropriate forms with professionalism, diplomacy, and advocacy for patients cultural, linguistic, and diversity needs.

 

Informs patients about all services and programs available throughout the CHC clinical network and makes appropriate referrals.

 

Provides quality customer service using AIDET Standards.

 

Answers telephone with a courteous and professional manner.

 

Handle high volume of patients and internal/external customers, and handle frequent changes, delay or unexpected events.

 

Assists with the preparation of BH medical records per protocols outlined in the Behavioral Health Policies and Procedures.

 

Schedules patients per protocol outlined in the Behavioral Health Policies and Procedures and refers medical or medication management triage calls to nursing staff or Psychiatric Nurse Coordinator.

 

Confirms appointments for BH clinicians within 24 hours of appointment i.e. hard and soft confirmations.

 

Receives referrals via task from primary care providers in order to link patients with BH services. Participates in service coordination activities as directed to improve service continuity and effectiveness for patients within the CHC network.

 

Provides clerical and case management support to BH clinicians including, but not limited to scheduling and rescheduling patient appointments, conducting screenings, and maintenance calls at regularly scheduled intervals. 

 

Assists patients in navigation of the mental health system, and appropriate linkage to various county agencies and other community resources based on patient care need and availability.

 

Documents all service contacts on a timely basis including face-to-face interviews, collateral and networking contacts, correspondence and maintains the case records in accordance with agency standards and requirements. 

 

Assists in a variety of support activities including, but not limited to support groups and/or psycho-educational groups, community outreach activities, and health fairs.

 

Assists clinic staff with de-escalating patient behavioral health issues and concerns in the clinic, as needed, with supervision and support from BH clinicians and other licensed staff.

 

May assist the primary care team with clerical duties such as greeting patients, checking-in, scheduling, etc. when necessary.  

 

Meets regularly with the Director of Behavioral Health, Psychiatry Nurse Coordinator, and Health Center Manager (if applicable) as a means of enhancing professional growth, reviewing and processing the provision of care coordination services, and dealing with appropriate administrative issues.

 

Acts as a liaison with community and external agencies on behalf of CHC in matters pertaining to high risk behavioral health patients.

 

Attends trainings and staff meetings as required.