Behavioral Health Navigator I - UPMC McKeesport

UPMC•McKeesport, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Western Behavioral Health is hiring a full-time Behavioral Health Navigator I to support UPMC McKeesport. The role assesses and navigates patients and families in collaboration with attending psychiatrists and other staff in the UPMC McKeesport Emergency Department. The Navigator develops initial treatment plans to support disposition planning and assists with bed placement or other disposition planning. The role identifies patient acuity and facilitates the flow of information to promote effective communication about patient care, operations, and disposition. The position works three 12-hour rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, and weekends. Shifts are typically 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with some variability. The employee must work two major and two minor holidays per year. On-site parking is available. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts, if applicable, must be included with the application. The role may involve being in rooms where medications are stored; contact with medications is not allowed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work and 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 good clinical judgment, to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
Ability to identify problems, implement resolutions, and reassess situations or problems.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact directly and professionally, tactfully, and graciously with professional and non-professional contacts; strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to work under stress amid unpredictable patient flow and sometimes-crowded work conditions.
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 the described services with a service-excellent attitude.
Ability and willingness to work in a managed care environment.
Excellent direct, face-to-face, telephone, and nonverbal communication skills, delivered graciously, courteously, and kindly.
CPR certification.
Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting, with renewal.
Act 33 clearance, with renewal.
Act 34 clearance, with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance, with renewal.

Responsibilities

Meet documentation standards and complete required paperwork, including psychiatric evaluations and commitment paperwork.
Use DSMV and develop provisional diagnoses.
Apply knowledge of mental health laws and review inpatient commitments for accuracy, competencies, 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.
Learn and use up-to-date technology for patient-care assessment and disposition or referral planning.
Handle a sizable volume of calls efficiently and direct callers to meet their needs rapidly.
Follow outpatient scheduling or referral documentation guidelines.
Respond rapidly 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 the appropriateness of an outpatient clinic.
Provide accurate and timely information to coworkers, physicians, and outside agencies in a professional and courteous manner.
Help patients and families access social systems by providing resource-specific information, contacting appropriate resources, and facilitating acceptance of referrals.