Outpatient Navigator

Erlanger Behavioral Health•Chattanooga, TN

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Join our team as an Outpatient Navigator! Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, our 94-bed treatment center offers superior psychiatric and addiction services to individuals of all ages. Specializing in exceptional mental health care for various age groups, we cater to adolescent patients aged 12+ and older adults. If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of those in need through compassionate therapeutic practices and thrive in a supportive team environment that fosters learning and growth, this position is perfect for you! Apply now! The Outpatient Navigator supports continuity of care by guiding eligible patients transitioning from inpatient or residential behavioral health treatment into Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP), or other community-based services. This role ensures timely, informed referrals; facilitates coordination among inpatient and outpatient departments; and provides education and support to patients and families regarding post-discharge services. With a deep understanding of levels of care, discharge workflows, and what differentiates Acadia’s outpatient programs, the Outpatient Navigator plays a vital role in increasing step-down engagement, reducing readmissions, and strengthening care transitions. The Outpatient Navigator may also help facilitate direct admissions to PHP/IOP programs.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum of 2 years in behavioral healthcare setting (e.g., acute psychiatric hospital)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social services-related field strongly preferred.
Licensed or license-eligible clinician (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMHC, LMFT)
Peer support specialist certification
Experience with PHP and IOP levels of care, discharge planning, and/or utilization review

Responsibilities

Own the full stepdown process—from patient identification to program admission
Meet every eligible inpatient and review open direct admission inquiries to facilitate referrals to outpatient
Educate patients and families on the value of continued care post-discharge and highlights of the hospital’s program (specialized tracks, support to address barriers to access such as transportation, etc.)
Maintain multiple in-person check-ins during patient’s inpatient stay, including 1:1 discussions, facilitation of inpatient transitions/discharge groups, and participation in treatment team
Support patients with outpatient orientation/program introduction, including completion of required admissions documentation and consent forms, and introductions to PHP/IOP leaders and therapists
Partner with other hospital departments to facilitate step-downs, including: Clinical services to confirm clinical appropriateness for outpatient and include outpatient in treatment plans
Partner with other hospital departments to facilitate step-downs, including: Business office (BO) for benefits verification and copay clarifications
Partner with other hospital departments to facilitate step-downs, including: Utilization Review/Management (UM) to secure necessary authorizations. Support with ongoing UM, as needed, including, but not limited to pre-certifications, renewal authorizations, denial appeals, and tracking days remaining.
Partner with other hospital departments to facilitate step-downs, including: Business development and marketing for support to convey outpatient value proposition and key messages for patient engagement
Partner with other hospital departments to facilitate step-downs, including: Outpatient Services to ensure capacity, program compatibility, and mutual awareness of discharge dates
Participate in daily flash meetings to review emerging stepdown candidates, rationale for discharges not stepped down, and report out on day one PHP/IOP attendance for prior day’s step-downs
Track step-down admissions and conversion rate and trends over time
Identify barriers/opportunities to further enhance patient engagement and reduce readmissions
Report weekly progress to facility CEO, COO, and Director of Outpatient Services