Behavioral Health Navigator

Transitions Mental Health Asso•San Luis Obispo, CA

3d•$23 - $24

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Navigator is part of the Behavioral Health Navigation Team and is supervised by the Behavioral Health Navigation Program Manager. This position promotes mental health recovery, wellness, empowerment, and advocacy, and will uphold and promote the philosophy of TMHA in all duties performed. This position will work with Cencal to provide Enhanced Care Management to members. ECM is a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to healthcare that aims to improve outcomes for high-need populations. This involves coordinating medical, behavioral, and social services to address the full range of patient needs, with a focus on those with complex and chronic conditions. The intention of ECM services is to help people who have not been able to get the needed help in terms of Mental Health, Substance Abuse treatment, and linkages to community resources to help minimize recidivism. The role of the ECM Lead Care Manager is to help create a supportive network of services and resources for the client to prevent incarceration and support long-term permanent housing goals.

Requirements

The Behavioral Health Navigator will be an individual (consumer or family member) who possesses insight and experience with mental health services, providing empathy and understanding of the circumstances facing clients, and may interact with staff to determine client needs.
Basic knowledge of mental illness, TMHA programs, and community services.
Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Must be proactive regarding self-care, with the ability to identify triggers and burnout.
Must be able to set and maintain strong professional boundaries.
Strong grounding in TMHA’s mission.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and organizational ability are critical to this position.
Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral/written and communication skills.
Well defined organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work independently and flexibly.
Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.
Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level.
Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.
Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.
Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction.
Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.
Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services.
Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity.
Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business.
Conditions of employment include:
Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize personal vehicle and auto insurance.
Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.
Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Responsibilities

Engage with clients and family members when they arrive at either the clinic or office for their appointments.
Help foster and maintain a welcoming environment for clients and family members of ECM services.
Act as a client advocate, ensuring the client’s needs and preferences are central to care decisions.
Understand how the Behavioral Health and/or Cencal systems work and be able to communicate the process to clients and family members.
Be knowledgeable of current community resources and how clients and family members can best access them.
Coordinate and link the client to needed mental health, substance abuse, and housing resources.
Assist clients with paperwork for their appointments.
Help clients keep their scheduled appointments by making reminder calls and providing information on how to reschedule if needed.
Conduct outreach to identify and engage eligible individuals in ECM services, using multiple strategies and modalities for engagement.
Conduct ECM assessments of clients’ needs, including medical, behavioral, and social factors.
Develop, implement, and monitor personalized care plans in collaboration with clients, their families, healthcare providers, and community resources with the program manager’s support.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of care plans and make adjustments as needed to client goals with the program manager’s support.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the client, relevant family members, and other supports.
Operate as part of the client’s multi-disciplinary care team.
Coordinate care across multiple providers and services, ensuring seamless integration of medical and social care.
Travel locally to deliver services to clients in the community where they live, work, or frequent.
Attend workshops, meetings, and trainings as requested by supervisor.
Participate in data collection and evaluation activities, which may include surveys, interviews, and focus groups, as specified by the Manager.
Maintained concise and comprehensive case records on all participants seeking services.
Document services and case notes in the agency’s Electronic Health Record within 72 hours of each service and in compliance with agency policy, as well as contractual, state, funding source, and federal regulations.
Promote, encourage, and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities.
Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, the Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic, and person-centered communication.
Develop and nurture supportive working relationships with Behavioral Health and Cencal staff.
Meet weekly with the Program Manager. Make recommendations to the Program Manager for program changes or enhancements.
Protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants.
Maintain a consistent schedule.
Respond to emails, phone calls, and all correspondence in a timely and professional manner.
Complete required hours of in-service training and attend all required meetings.
Understand, implement, and ensure recovery and wellness standards and philosophy in all programs, promoting the tenets of hope, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, education, and support.
Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Manager and Program Director.