Behavioral Health Navigator

Position Summary / Career Interest:

The Behavioral Health Navigator is a clinically licensed Master's level clinician who provides intensive mental and behavioral health therapy and case management services for patients of all ages and their families. The Behavioral Health Navigator serves patients and their caregivers in locating, accessing, and connecting to mental health and behavioral health services. In this way, the Behavioral Health Navigators provide post-crisis support and continuing stabilization as they are assisting their patients in their journey to increasing well-being on an outpatient basis. The therapy services provided by the BHN are time-limited and bridge the gap while the patient works to access therapy services in the community. The Behavioral Health Navigator focuses on behavioral health therapy, access to care, psychoeducation, patient advocacy, coordination of care with community providers, and assisting patients and families in connecting with higher levels of care such as Intensive Outpatient Programs, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and recommendations for assessment for acute hospitalization.


Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Completes intake assessment to identify patient needs and goals, and to develop a treatment plan to assist patient (and family) in achieving identified goals.
• Identifies community resources and connects patients (and families) with resources, such as:
• Outpatient medication management providers; Outpatient therapy and case management services; higher levels of behavioral health care; Medical providers; Dental providers; Assistance programs including housing, food, transportation, employment, education, etc.
• Monitors progress of care coordination through scheduling appointments, conducting outreach, coordination with community providers, and updating patient goals.
• Provides supportive and evidence-based counseling services assist patients in order to meet their goals.
• Schedules, facilitates, and documents therapy sessions for patients.
• Provide post-crisis support to identify resources and update safety plan.
• Provide support to the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) as needed.
• Serves as a professional and effective liaison between resources within the health system and across the community for the patient and family.
• Takes personal responsibility for independently completing assigned activities and seeks new opportunities to provide high-quality work and excellent patient care; looks for ways to improve individual performance.
• Manages daily tasks and responsibilities in the face of changing situations via planning, teamwork, and flexibility.
• Engages patients and colleagues with professionalism and respect, reinforcing trust and health system values.
• Recognizes how personal conduct impacts patients and team members, making positive changes in real-time.
• Bridges communication across care departments to deliver seamless, patient-centered care.
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving by asking insightful questions, knowing when to escalate issues, and upholding professional integrity.
• Demonstrates stewardship through the identification and appropriate use of available resources including time, equipment, and supplies.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for achievement of optimal outcomes within their scope of practice. Follows policies, procedures, and standards; complies with Corporate Compliance program. Assumes responsibility for risk and safety issues associated with the position. Performs job specific responsibilities and demonstrates accountability for own actions and decisions.
• Acquires and maintains knowledge and competence related to the expectations of their position and practices within their scope. Brings ideas and concerns to supervisor, participates in department decision making. Maintains current licensure.
• Identifies and utilizes all relevant information (medical/nursing needs, social work knowledge base, disease process, knowledge of community resources) to accurately and thoroughly assess the patient's psychosocial situation.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings as needed.
• Advocates on behalf of patients and caregivers for identification and access to services. Advocates for the protection of the patient's health, safety and rights. Ensures patient choice and consistently supports a patient centered environment.
• Demonstrates a caring, positive regard for others by clarity of speech, use of understandable terminology and utilizing active listening skills.
• Documents appropriate information in the patient's medical record to ensure clear communication.
• Documentation includes initial assessment and discharge/follow-up action plan.
• Works in partnership with inpatient case managers.
• Participates in professional development activities.
• Completed the objectives identified on last performance appraisal.
• Identifies professional development needs and pursues educational opportunities.
• Acts as a preceptor for new team members.
• Assists in training of new team members.
• Seeks clinical supervision when needed.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Masters Social Work OR
• Master's Degree eligible for Kansas BSRB license

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in a health care setting

Required Licensure and Certification

• Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker(LSCSW) - State Board of Behavioral Sciences LSCSW OR
• Licensed Masters Social Worker(LMSW) - State Board of Behavioral Sciences LMSW OR
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC) - State Board of Behavioral Sciences LCPC OR
• Licensed Professional Counselor(LPC) - State Board of Behavioral Sciences LPC OR
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist(LMFT) - State Board of Behavioral Sciences LMFT or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) OR
• Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist(LCP) - State Board of Behavioral Sciences LCP OR
• Licensed Master's Level Psychologist(LMLP) - State Board of Behavioral Sciences LMLP

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.