PATIENT NAVIGATOR - LH

Summary/Objective

The patient navigator is the hub of resources to the clients. They provide general case management, plan educational programs, collaborate with staff for medical care, assist with aftercare and continuing care plans, facilitate groups, and coordinate volunteer and educational opportunities. The patient navigator educates patients on available services and develops a network of contacts with service providers and agencies for referrals and negotiated affordable services. The patient navigator works in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse, Clinical Program Director, clinicians, and other staff of the facility to empower patients to learn and develop key living skills to further their recovery, and-ultimately-their lives.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Understands the specifics of addiction and the 12-step model.
• Understands underlying mental health issues that often accompany addiction.
• Meets with patients on their assigned caseloads within the first week of admission and then regularly through treatment to track them in the progress of their case management goals.
• Performs case management functions for all assigned patients needing assistance and monitors the delivery of services to patients to ensure they are appropriate, timely, and satisfactory.
• Collaborates with the clinical team for coordination of care in seven vital areas of functioning: employment, medical, housing, finances, education, recreation, and volunteering.

• Guides patients in achieving goals in their six areas, as necessary, from admission through discharge.
• Guides the patients through the step-down process and discharge planning.
• Educates patients in step-down on the expectations and enforces the expectations.
• Facilitates groups at one or both houses which cover living skills, personal growth and well-being, and new patient orientation.
• Provides support to their counterparts in Sheridan and Riverton.
• Acts as a liaison between community agencies, service providers, staff, and patients.
• Makes referrals as necessary for patient optimization.
• Communicates with referents.
• Facilitates communication between patients and public entities such as but not limited to the Department of Family Services.
• Educates patients on service availability, application procedures, and patients' rights.
• Coordinates Indian Health Services (IHS) trips for tribal-member patients.
• Assists patients in building informal support networks among themselves and with community members, encouraging their proactive approach to meeting their social, psychological, and recovery needs.

Competencies

• Effective communicator
• Highly collaborative with parties both internally and externally
• Respectful and professional toward patients
• Calm under pressure and crisis
• Maintain strict patient confidentiality
• Empathetic and able to relate to patients with addiction
• Continuous demonstration of behaviors aligned with a posture of servant leadership and our cultural values

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and photocopiers.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. This position also requires a valid driver's license, and PNs are frequently asked to transport patients.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

Travel is required as needed to various locations to perform patient outreach services

Required Education, Experience or Eligibility Qualifications

• Associate's degree, or high school education with training/experience in the following:

• Demonstrated working knowledge of community services in the region with a particular understanding of services that are provided for the population living within the facility;
• Proven experience in case management, including organizing, problem-solving, and advocating;
• Trained in the addiction process, correctional system, and mental health issues;
• Knowledge of eligibility for and applications procedures of federal and state entitlement programs;
• Knowledge of legal liability issues relating to providing case management, including HIPAA;

• Valid driver's license
• Ability to use computer software programs including the Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Education and Experience

• A Bachelor of Social Work or degree in Addiction, Psychology or Counseling

EEO Statement

Volunteers of America Northern Rockies is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics. Volunteers of America Northern Rockies will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact us at 307-672-0475.