What are the responsibilities and job description for the Psych Discharge Care Navigator position at Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH)?
Overview
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.
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.
Qualifications
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Must be a registered pharmacy technician.
At least 3 years of experience or an Associate’s Degree
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.
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.
Qualifications
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Must be a registered pharmacy technician.
At least 3 years of experience or an Associate’s Degree