Behavioral Health Navigator

The University of Kansas Health System•Kansas City, KS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Navigator is a clinically licensed, Master's-level clinician who provides intensive mental and behavioral health therapy and case management services to patients of all ages and their families. The role helps patients and caregivers locate, access, and connect with mental and behavioral health services, providing post-crisis support and continuing stabilization as patients work toward improved well-being on an outpatient basis. Therapy is time-limited and bridges the gap while patients access community therapy services. The Behavioral Health Navigator focuses on behavioral health therapy, access to care, psychoeducation, patient advocacy, coordination with community providers, and helping patients and families connect with higher levels of care. These may include Intensive Outpatient Programs, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and assessment recommendations for acute hospitalization.

Requirements

Master of Social Work or a master's degree eligible for a Kansas BSRB license.
Current licensure in one of the listed categories: LSCSW, LMSW, LCPC, LPC, LMFT, LCP, or LMLP.
Ability to perform the professional, clinical, and/or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a health care setting.

Responsibilities

Complete intake assessments to identify patient needs and goals and develop treatment plans for patients and families.
Identify community resources and connect patients and families with outpatient medication management, therapy, case management, higher levels of behavioral health care, medical and dental providers, and assistance programs for needs such as housing, food, transportation, employment, and education.
Monitor care-coordination progress by scheduling appointments, conducting outreach, coordinating with community providers, and updating patient goals.
Provide supportive and evidence-based counseling to help patients meet their goals.
Schedule, facilitate, and document therapy sessions.
Provide post-crisis support, identify resources, and update safety plans.
Support the Intensive Outpatient Program as needed.
Serve as a liaison between health-system resources and community resources for patients and families.
Manage assigned work independently and adapt to changing situations through planning, teamwork, and flexibility.
Promote professionalism, respect, trust, and health-system values in interactions with patients and colleagues.
Bridge communication across care departments to support seamless, patient-centered care; solve problems, escalate issues when appropriate, and uphold professional integrity.
Use time, equipment, supplies, and other resources appropriately; accept accountability for outcomes within scope of practice.
Follow policies, procedures, standards, and the Corporate Compliance program; address position-related risk and safety issues.
Maintain professional knowledge and competence, practice within scope, keep licensure current, and bring ideas and concerns to the supervisor.
Assess patients' psychosocial situations using relevant medical and nursing needs, social-work knowledge, disease-process knowledge, and community-resource knowledge.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings as needed.
Advocate for patients and caregivers to identify and access services and protect patients' health, safety, and rights; support patient choice and a patient-centered environment.
Use clear, understandable communication and active listening, and document relevant information in the medical record, including initial assessments and discharge or follow-up action plans.
Work in partnership with inpatient case managers.
Participate in professional development, pursue identified educational opportunities, and complete objectives from the prior performance appraisal.
Precept and assist in training new team members and seek clinical supervision when needed.
Perform the professional, clinical, and technical competencies required by the assigned unit or department; other duties may be assigned.