Healthcare Navigator

Volunteers of America Mid-States•Elizabethtown, KY

About The Position

The SSVF program assists Veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness end their housing crisis. The goal of the SSVF Healthcare Navigator is to provide services that assist veterans in ending their housing crisis, enhance their independent living skills by providing supportive services and education, connect them with community resources, and empower them to maintain long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency. The position provides services that include connecting Veterans to VA health care benefits or community health care services where Veterans are not eligible for VA care, health education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and overall case management and care coordination. SSVF Healthcare Navigators work closely with the Veteran’s primary care provider and members of the Veteran’s assigned interdisciplinary treatment team. This position requires a Master of Social Work or a Master’s degree in a related field and less than five (5) years of work experience in the field; a person with a Bachelor of Social Work or a related undergraduate degree with more than five (5) years related work experience; a person with nine (9) years of experience in the field and no degree; or a veteran with six (6) years of experience in the field.

Requirements

The position requires excellent judgment and a demonstrated ability to provide a reasonable combination of knowledge, abilities and skills; knowledge and ability to access local resources, advocacy, counseling, and working cooperatively with local service providers; ability to be the liaison between VOA Mid-States and the VA or community medical clinic; and work with a population of Veterans with complex needs who require assistance accessing health care services or adhering to health care plans.
The SSVF Healthcare Navigator works closely with the Veteran’s assigned multidisciplinary team, including medical, nursing, and administrative specialists, and the case management team.
The position requires timely, appropriate, and equitable Veteran-centered care to be provided with the Veteran’s treatment team.
The Healthcare Navigator is the primary Case Manager for all Veterans placed in hotels by the SSVF program and works collaboratively with the treatment team and the Veteran to identify and address systems challenges for enhanced care coordination as needed.
The Senior Healthcare Navigator is a liaison between all SSVF Healthcare Navigators and Veteran Services leadership, as well as the main trainer for new and existing staff .
Must have personal automobile, valid driver’s license, liability insurance, and be willing and able to travel between the counties we serve up to 70% of the time.
Must complete required case management training within 90 days of hire and complete all VA-required training for SSVF personnel and Healthcare Navigators.
A Master of Social Work or a Master’s degree in a related field and less than five (5) years of work experience in the field; a person with a Bachelor of Social Work or a related undergraduate degree with more than five (5) years related work experience; a person with nine (9) years of experience in the field and no degree; or a veteran with six (6) years of experience in the field.

Responsibilities

Conducts assessments of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, and significant others.
Purpose of assessment is to understand the Veteran’s situation, potential barriers to care, the causes, and the impact of such barriers on the Veteran’s ability to access and maintain health care services.
The assessment highlights the Veteran’s strengths, limitations, risk factors, internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran’s ability to access and maintain health care services.
Provides case management duties, including:
Meet and set up appointments with Veteran and treatment team through virtual means/telehealth.
Acts as a health coach by proactively supporting the Veteran to optimize treatment interventions and outcomes.
Perform assessments, develop/monitor case plans, and conduct necessary follow-up activities.
Establish linkages with appropriate agencies and service providers in the area/community.
Provide referrals and resources
Educate participants on issues, such as supportive services available and participant rights.
Provide supportive services to participants.
Complete required documentation (including progress notes) within 48 hours of contact and enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Demonstrate good clinical judgement in decision making regarding participants.
Demonstrate ability to relate to Veterans and their families in a culturally competent manner.
Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) duties as assigned by supervision and PQI Committee.

Benefits

Health and Wellness Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
Health and Wellness Program
Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Flexible Spending Account
Health Spending Account
Short Term Disability
MetLife Legal Plans
Financial Wellbeing
Competitive Compensation Packages
Life Insurance (company paid)
403b retirement plan with company fund matching
Employee discounts
Loan forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Corp & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
All company paid benefits and paid time off effective day one
VOA LEAD Program- Leadership Development Program
VOA University - Staff Development
VOA Academy - Clinical Training and Development