Behavioral Health Access Navigator - Behavioral Health Adult - PRN
About The Position
The Behavioral Health Admissions & Nurse Navigator serves as a central coordinator for patient access, admission, and navigation across the behavioral health continuum of care. The role links patients, families, providers, and internal teams to support timely, appropriate placement and movement through inpatient and outpatient services. It combines clinical assessment, care coordination, and navigation support to improve access and patient experience and promote high-quality, efficient care delivery. The position requires psychiatric assessment expertise across the lifespan and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. This patient-facing position has no supervisory or budget responsibility. It is identified as hybrid, with remote-work requirements for a quiet, distraction-free workspace, secure and private working conditions, stable electricity, and internet upload and download speeds of at least 25 Mbps. The employee must devote full attention to work duties during working hours and follow agreed-upon break and attendance schedules, Stormont Vail’s Remote Worker Policy, and the annual Remote Work Agreement. The role is PRN, with 0 hours per week, and is non-exempt. The employee must comply with Stormont Vail Health policies, standards, mandatory training, and requirements, and perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field, or a licensed Registered Nurse may substitute for this educational requirement.
- At least 1 year of psychiatric experience or acute care experience.
- Strong psychiatric assessment skills across diverse populations.
- Knowledge of behavioral health levels of care and admission criteria.
- Ability to coordinate care across multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and crisis management skills.
- Proficiency in electronic health records.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of healthcare regulations, safety standards, and quality practices.
- Ability to maintain strong focus and organization and work under pressure, including in emergency situations.
- Kansas practice eligibility as a licensed Registered Nurse through KSBN, or an appropriate educational degree with ability to practice, or one of the required KSBSRB licenses: Licensed Masters Social Worker, Licensed Masters Level Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, or Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker.
- Comply with Stormont Vail’s Remote Worker Policy and annually review and acknowledge the Remote Work Agreement if working remotely.
- Maintain a quiet, distraction-free workspace that meets security and privacy standards, stable electricity, and internet speeds of at least 25 Mbps upload and download when working remotely.
- Dedicate full attention to duties and communications during working hours and follow agreed-upon break and attendance schedules.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
- Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric services, or a related clinical setting preferred.
- Experience in intake, admissions, care coordination, or navigation preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead and streamline behavioral health admissions, including a “one call/one number” access model.
- Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments of children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients to determine appropriate levels of care.
- Facilitate admissions to inpatient and outpatient services based on clinical criteria.
- Coordinate alternative placements when admission is not appropriate or capacity is limited.
- Identify and address barriers to admission, patient placement, and access to care.
- Ensure intake and admission documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with regulatory standards.
- Guide patients and families through the healthcare system from intake through the episode of care.
- Communicate information about treatment processes, procedures, and available resources.
- Coordinate services with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, case managers, and community providers.
- Connect patients to community resources, support services, and educational programs.
- Track patient progress, interventions, and outcomes across the continuum of care.
- Triage incoming calls and referrals and conduct initial intakes, including collection of clinical and insurance information.
- Collaborate with Patient Placement, unit staff, and leadership to support efficient patient flow.
- Oversee appointment scheduling and maintain timely throughput.
- Verify insurance benefits, obtain prior authorizations, and coordinate financial clearance as needed.
- Use the electronic health record and other systems to document patient interactions and maintain accurate records.
- Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational policies, and the Kansas Nurse Practice Act when applicable.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and process optimization efforts.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders, including referral sources.
- Escalate risks, concerns, and barriers to appropriate leadership.
- Provide a professional, responsive, and patient-centered experience.
- Comply with Stormont Vail Health policies, standards, mandatory training, and requirements; perform other duties as assigned.
