Psych Discharge Care Navigator

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. • Lexington, KY

6d

About The Position

The Psych Discharge Care Navigator ensures timely and comprehensive access to psychiatric medications for patients transitioning from inpatient, outpatient, or crisis-level care. This role specializes in prior authorizations, medication access program navigation, and coordinating follow-up care for patients prescribed long-acting injectable (LAI) therapies. The specialist works closely with pharmacy, behavioral health, and care management teams to reduce treatment gaps and improve continuity of care.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be a registered pharmacy technician
• At least 3 years of experience or an Associate’s Degree

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary expert on psychiatric medication access, including prior authorizations, psych state billing, step therapy processes, appeals, and manufacturer assistance programs
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of manufacturer indigent drug programs, behavioral health medication access criteria, and required clinical documentation
• Identifies appropriate follow-up care for patients receiving LAI antipsychotic therapies, including scheduling next-dose appointments, verifying site-of-care availability, and ensuring medication procurement through insurance or assistance programs
• Make structured follow-up contacts to recently discharged psychiatric patients to verify medication pick-up, prior authorization status, LAI follow-up adherence, and access barriers
• Work collaboratively with care providers to coordinate and plan the access to care for patients across the ARH continuum
• Collaborate with behavioral health providers, discharge planners, and care managers to ensure medication plans are fully accessible prior to patient discharge
• Coordinate with local pharmacy and behavioral health teams to ensure seamless prescription processing, refills, and delivery when appropriate
• Assist patients and caregivers with navigating behavioral health medication costs, payment requirements, and access programs. Assist patients in processing payment requirement
• Assist in the completion of paperwork for medication access programs
• Maintains records and statistics for the purpose of evaluation and program analysis
• Investigates and analyzes critical operational situations and provides directions for the resolution of problems
• Performs other related duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED