Behavioral Health Navigator I - UPMC Western Maryland (Limited Part-Time)

UPMC•Cumberland, MD

About The Position

UPMC Western Behavioral Health is hiring a limited part-time Behavioral Health Navigator I to support UPMC Western Maryland. The role assesses and navigates patients and families in collaboration with attending psychiatrists and other staff in the Western Maryland Emergency Department and Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit. The navigator develops initial treatment plans to support disposition planning and assists with bed placement and other disposition decisions. The role identifies patient acuity and facilitates effective communication about patient care, operations, and disposition. The position works varied, rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, and weekends. Shifts are typically four to five hours, depending on department needs. Master's-level candidates and candidates with Maryland licensure are strongly preferred. Applicants must include undergraduate and graduate transcripts, if applicable, with their application.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work plus one year of direct mental health care experience, or a master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work. Other fields of study may be considered with at least 12 credits in human services and/or relevant mental health experience.
Ability to respond calmly and effectively, using sound clinical judgment, during psychiatric and medical emergencies.
Ability to identify problems, implement resolutions, and reassess situations or problems.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, nonverbal, face-to-face, and telephone communication skills; ability to interact directly and professionally, tactfully, graciously, and courteously with professional and nonprofessional contacts.
Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to work under stress with unpredictable patient flow in a sometimes-crowded environment.
Warm, friendly, caring, kind, and hospitable disposition toward patients and colleagues.
Openness and willingness to learn.
Flexible schedule and ability to work rotating shifts.
Consistent history of delivering services with a service-excellent attitude.
Ability and willingness to work in a managed care environment.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
No contact with medications is allowed, although the role may involve being in rooms where medications are stored.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or other master's-level qualification.
Maryland licensure, including LGPC, LCPC, LMSW, or LCSW-C.

Responsibilities

Meet documentation standards and complete required paperwork, including psychiatric evaluations and commitment paperwork.
Use DSM-5 and develop provisional diagnoses.
Apply knowledge of mental health laws and review inpatient commitments for accuracy, competency, and proper time frames.
Understand insurance programs and processes, and obtain authorizations as needed.
Participate in interdisciplinary activities, including staff meetings and assigned committees.
Maintain competency requirements and learn and use current technology for patient assessment and disposition or referral planning.
Handle a sizable volume of calls efficiently and direct callers to appropriate resources or services promptly.
Follow outpatient scheduling and referral documentation guidelines.
Respond promptly to appointment or inpatient admission requests received by email, phone, or voicemail.
Review and summarize patient information for behavioral health unit admissions and triage patients for appropriate placement.
Present cases verbally to physicians and others.
Use triage and assessment skills to determine medical necessity or appropriate outpatient clinic placement.
Provide accurate, timely information to coworkers, physicians, and outside agencies in a professional and courteous manner.
Access social systems and provide patients and families with resource-specific information, contact appropriate resources, and facilitate acceptance of referrals.