Healthcare Navigator

Volunteers of America Colorado•Denver, CO

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Health Care Navigators are responsible for connecting Veterans to VA healthcare benefits and/or community healthcare benefits, providing case management and care coordination, health education, interdisciplinary collaboration, coordination, and consultation, and other administrative duties as assigned. The healthcare navigator will act as a liaison between the SSVF grantee and the VA or community medical clinic and works with a population of Veterans with complex needs who require assistance accessing healthcare services or adhering to healthcare plans. This position works in conjunction with the SSVF case management team, the Veteran’s assigned interdisciplinary team, which includes medical, nursing, administrative specialists, and case management personnel. The SSVF health care navigator works within this team to provide timely, appropriate, and equitable Veteran centered care. The SSVF healthcare navigator works collaboratively with the team and the Veteran to identify and address systems challenges for enhanced care coordination as needed. This position also includes outreach to Veteran households throughout the program’s service area as needed. The duties and responsibilities of the Health Care Navigator are subject to change depending on the needs of the SSVF grantee and the Veteran population experiencing homelessness in a geographic catchment area.

Requirements

Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect, and Service).
Models VOACO’s three strategic critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart).
Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a closely related field or related experience -AND- 1 year of direct, full-time case management experience demonstrating the ability to consistently apply field-relevant best practices and standards.
OR Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
Must possess a Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.
Must possess a personal vehicle that may be used for work-related travel (reimbursement for mileage is available).
Must complete agency and program credentialing within 12 weeks of hire and maintain credentialing standards thereafter.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness and the Veteran population.
Knowledge and skill in the application of Harm Reduction, Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and Housing First Principles.
Ability to respectfully and professionally serve individuals hailing from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ideologies, and religions.
Ability to work and thrive within a diverse, multicultural team environment.
Ability to take initiative and work independently.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to apply appropriate self-care in the face of often difficult and/or traumatic situations which commonly present while working with persons in need of services.

Responsibilities

Conducts assessments of the Veteran in collaboration with interdisciplinary health teams, the Veterans family members, and significant others to assess the Veteran’s situation, potential barriers to care, and the impact of such barriers on the Veteran’s ability to access and maintain health care services.
Assists team in conducting outreach to inform eligible clients of services provided and to develop connections with outside agencies.
Receives and assesses calls for service and conducts intake process as needed.
Documents all calls received and disposition each in the format provided.
Refers ineligible applicants to other organizations/programs which would best serve the applicant’s needs.
Works closely with Veterans to assist them in communicating their preferences in care and personal health-related goals to facilitate shared decision-making of the Veteran’s care.
Serves as a resource for education and support for Veterans and families and helps identify appropriate and credible resources and support tailored to the needs and desires of the Veteran.
Coordinates referrals to the VA, community health clinics, and other programs needed to ensure access to health care.
Regularly reviews Veteran’s care plan goals, conducts regular non-clinical barrier assessments, and provides resources and referrals needed to support adherence.
Monitors Veteran’s progress in care plans, maintains comprehensive documentation, provides information to treatment teams when appropriate, and assists Veterans in identifying concerns or questions about their treatment or medications to develop open communication with the provider or treatment team.
Acts as an advocate for the Veteran, integrating the Veteran’s cultural values into their care plan.
Acts as a health coach for the Veteran seeking services by providing comprehensive case management and care coordination across episodes of care.
Acts as a community liaison for Volunteers of America, maintaining cooperative working relations throughout the community and providing accurate program information through presentation and literature.
Serves as a liaison to VA and community health care programs and represents the SSVF program in contacts with other agencies and the public.
Helps coordinate supportive and additional services with the Veteran, including but not limited to housing, financial benefits, and transportation, and provides referrals upon the Veteran’s preference.
Assists in identifying the Veteran and Veteran family’s health education needs and provides education services and materials that match the health literacy level of the Veteran.
Adheres to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws, and agency policies (e.g. critical incident reporting, HIPPA, mandated reporting).
Identifies systemic barriers within the program, communicates with program leadership about these barriers, and works collaboratively to find viable solutions.
Assists in developing policy, procedures, and practice guidelines related to the specialty program using knowledge gained from research or best practices.
Perform all other duties as assigned.