Behavioral Health Navigator I

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center • Cumberland, MD

416d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Navigator I at UPMC Western Maryland is responsible for assessing and navigating patients and families in collaboration with psychiatrists and other staff. This role involves developing initial treatment plans, facilitating communication regarding patient care, and assisting with bed placement and disposition planning. The position requires working in various hospital units, including the Emergency Department, with rotating shifts and weekends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work with one year of mental health direct care experience, or a master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work.
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively using good clinical judgment in psychiatric and medical emergencies.
• Ability to identify problems, implement resolutions, and reassess situations.
• Excellent interpersonal relations with the ability to interact professionally and tactfully with all contacts.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work under stress in an unpredictable patient flow environment.
• Warm, friendly, caring, and kind disposition towards patients and colleagues.
• Openness and willingness to learn.
• Flexible schedule with rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Meet standards for documentation and complete all required paperwork, including psychiatric evaluation and commitment paperwork.
• Demonstrate ability to utilize DSMV and develop provisional diagnoses.
• Demonstrate knowledge of mental health laws and review inpatient commitments for accuracy and proper time frames.
• Knowledge of insurance programs and processes, able to obtain authorizations as needed.
• Participate in interdisciplinary activities such as staff meetings and committees as assigned.
• Maintain competency requirements.
• Learn and utilize up-to-date technology in patient care for assessment and disposition/referral planning.
• Efficiently handle a sizable volume of calls and disposition callers to meet their needs rapidly.
• Follow outpatient scheduling or referral documentation guidelines.
• Respond rapidly to appointment or inpatient admission requests through email, phone, or voicemail.
• Review and summarize patient information for admissions to a behavioral health unit and triage patients for appropriate placement.
• Ability to verbally present cases to physicians and others.
• Demonstrate triage and assessment skills for medical necessity or appropriate outpatient clinic.
• Provide accurate, timely information to coworkers, physicians, and outside agencies in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate expertise in accessing social systems by providing resource-specific information to patients and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Hospitals
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree