Patient Navigator bei SUN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUP

Description

Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Patient Step-Down Navigator provides compassionate, person-centered support to individuals accessing mental health and substance use services. This role ensures that clients receive timely care, understand their treatment options, and are connected to appropriate community resources. The navigator plays a key role in reducing barriers to care and supporting recovery through advocacy, coordination, and education. The Patient Step-Down Navigator plays a critical role in ensuring continuity of care for individuals transitioning from the inpatient psychiatric unit to outpatient services and community-based support systems. Working closely with the clinical team and under the direction of the Director of Clinical Services, the Navigator facilitates connections to outpatient programs, mental health providers, community clinics, and social support services to promote patient stabilization and recovery post-discharge.

Position Responsibilities:

Clinical / Technical Skills (40% of performance review)

• Coordinate and facilitate aftercare planning in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Establish and maintain relationships with external providers and community agencies to streamline referrals and ensure warm handoffs.
• Participate in case conferences, clinical rounds, and staff meetings to update on patient appropriateness and placement status.
• Educate clients on treatment options, crisis intervention resources, and self-management strategies.
• Guide clients and families through the behavioral health care system, including community resources, outpatient services, and follow-up care.
• Provide information and emotional support to individuals navigating mental health or substance use challenges.
• Assist with scheduling psychiatric evaluations, therapy sessions, and referrals to specialty services.
• Support care coordination between providers, case managers, social workers, and external agencies.
• Help clients overcome barriers to care such as transportation, insurance coverage, stigma, or language.
• Track client progress and document interactions in electronic health records in accordance with HIPAA standards. Ensure all documentation is timely, accurate, and compliant with applicable regulations and standards.
• Advocate for clients’ needs while promoting autonomy, dignity, and cultural competence.
• Facilitate access to community services, including housing assistance, food security, peer support, and employment programs, including facilitating required assessments for case management services.
• Ability to engage individuals experiencing crisis, substance use or serious mental illness with empathy and professionalism.
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, treatment modalities, and trauma-informed care.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Safety (15% of performance review)

• Strives to create a safe, healing environment for patients and family members
• Follows all safety rules while on the job.
• Reports “near misses”, as well as errors and accidents promptly.
• Corrects minor safety hazards.
• Communicates with peers and management regarding any hazards identified in the workplace.
• Attends all required safety programs and understands responsibilities related to general, department, and job specific safety.
• Participates in quality projects, as assigned, and supports quality initiatives.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.

Teamwork (15% of performance review)

• Works well with others in a spirit of teamwork and cooperation. 
• Responds willingly to colleagues and serves as an active part of the hospital team.
• Builds collaborative relationships with patients, families, staff, and physicians.
• The ability to retrieve, communicate, and present data and information both verbally and in writing as required
• Demonstrates listening skills and the ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken and written word. 
• Demonstrates adequate skills in all forms of communication.
• Adheres to the Standards of Behavior

Integrity (15% of performance review)

• Strives to always do the right thing for the patient, coworkers, and the hospital
• Adheres to established standards, policies, procedures, protocols, and laws. 
• Applies the Mission and Values of SUN Behavioral Health to personal practice and commits to service excellence.
• Supports and demonstrates fiscal responsibility through supply usage, ordering of supplies, and conservation of facility resources.
• Completes required trainings within defined time periods, as established by job description, policies, or hospital leadership
• Exemplifies professionalism through good attendance and positive attitude, at all times.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and staff information, following HIPAA and other privacy laws.
• Ensures proper documentation in all position activities, following federal and state guidelines.

Compassion (15% of performance review)

• Demonstrates accountability for ensuring the highest quality patient care for patients.
• Willingness to be accepting of those in need, and to extend a helping hand
• Desire to go above and beyond for others
• Understanding and accepting of cultural diversity and differences

Qualifications

Education:

• Required: Bachelors degree in a psychology, social work, public health, human services, or related field.  CPR and hospital-selected de-escalation technique certification.
• Maintains education and development appropriate for position

Experience:

• Required: Previous hospital experience.
• Preferred: 2 years or more in behavioral health, case management, or peer navigation.  Certified Peer Specialist or similar credentials.