JOB SUMMARY

SSVF Healthcare Navigators are employed by SSVF Grantees to provide services that include connecting Veterans to VA healthcare benefits or community healthcare services where veterans are not eligible for VA care. SSVF healthcare navigators provide case management and care coordination, health education, interdisciplinary collaboration, coordination, consultation, and administrative duties. SSVF Healthcare Navigators work closely with Veteran’s primary care provider and members of the Veteran’s assigned interdisciplinary team.

The SSVF Healthcare Navigator work closely with the Veteran’s assigned multidisciplinary team including medical, nursing, and administrative specialist-case management personnel. The SSVF Healthcare Navigator work within this team to provide timely and appropriate centered care equitably. The SSVF Healthcare Navigator works collaboratively with the team and the veteran to identify and address systems and challenges for enhanced care coordination as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Non-Clinical Assessment. The incumbent conducts assessments of the veterans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members and significant others. The purpose of the assessment is to understand the Veteran’s situation, potential barriers to care, the causes, and the impact of such barriers on the Veteran’s strengths, limitations, risk factors and internal/external supports. The initial assessment will be completed as specified by the policy of the SSVF Grantee. An assessment may be accomplished through virtual technology. 

1. Healthcare Team and Veteran Communication. The SSVF Healthcare Navigator work closely with Veterans to assist them in communicating their preferences in care and personal health-related goals to facilitate shared decision making of the Veteran’s care. The SSVF Healthcare Navigator serves as a resource for education and support for Veterans and Families helping to identify appropriate and credible resources tailored to the needs and desires of the Veteran.

1. Specialized Case Management and Care Coordination. The incumbent provides comprehensive case management and care coordination across episodes of care- the incumbent acts as a health coach by proactively supporting the Veteran to optimize treatment interventions and outcomes. The Incumbent will determine strengths, needs, limitations, and preferences of each Veteran engaging in problem solving to identify and reduce barriers to care. The Healthcare Navigator will educate the Veteran and family on the available options for acquiring knowledge and skills for managing health and wellness. The incumbent coordinates referrals to the VA, community health clinics, and other programs to ensure access to health care. The incumbent follows the care plan to facilitate adherence and collaborates with community providers to maximize the use of VA and community resources.

1. Health Education. The incumbent assists in identifying the Veteran and family’s health education needs and provides education services and materials that match the health literacy of the Veteran. The Healthcare Navigator provides ongoing education support as needed to the Veteran and family member. The incumbent assist in identifying VA and community resources to prevent disease and promote self-care. 
2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Coordination and Consultation. To ensure the best possibly care, the incumbent with other disciplines in providing care. The incumbent regularly consults with other team members and appropriately assesses the needs of the Veteran. The incumbent understands the different roles within the interdisciplinary team and acts within professional boundaries. The Healthcare Navigator will adhere to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws, and agency policies (e.g., critical incident reporting, HIPPA, Duty to warn.)

1.  Administrative Duties and System Improvement. The Healthcare Navigator will assist in developing policies, procedures, and practice guidelines related to specialty program using knowledge gained from research or best practices. Works closely with the HR Director to develop and update the Agency’s succession plan. Develops and executes a development program to prepare employees for promotional opportunities. The Healthcare Navigator identifies systemic barriers within the organization and communicates with organizational leadership about these barriers and work collaboratively to find viable solutions.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

This position requires knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to:

• Master’s degree in human services field with 2 to 3 years progressively responsible and related experience (or equivalent combination of higher education and experience), preferably in a non-profit and/or human services environment
• Successful completion of the following courses from the Housing Skills Practice Center online platform’s Health Care Navigator Series prior to beginning direct services:

• Health Care Navigation 101
• Professional Boundaries and Service Strategies
• VA Health System 101

• SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) training preferred.
• Strong professional ethics which include approaching others in a tactful manner; reacting well under pressure; treating others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepting responsibility for own actions; following through on commitments. 
• Strong working knowledge of databases and other computer software, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office products – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Ability to travel is required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Non-essential)

• None

SUPERVISION:

The incumbent is expected to function independently, exercising initiative and judgment in day-to-day activities based on expertise accumulated through education, training, expertise, experience, and professional literature. The incumbent will seek consultation with the supervisor as appropriate as needed. The incumbent will receive task supervision and assignments from the SSVF Program Director. 

The Program Director provides supervision and guidance to the Healthcare Navigator. Supervision will include a review of caseload, client plans and other client issues, with the goal of evaluating job performance, enhancing strengths, identifying, and improving weaker areas, and accountability. 

KEY CONTACTS

• Maintains frequent contact with Relias Learning System principles to coordinate services and maintain expertise on the system features, programs, and resources.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Travels to other locations as appropriate in the performance of duties and responsibilities. 

Must have:

• Current driver’s license issued by state of residence.
• Current Vehicle Inspection decal, insurance 
• Current vehicle insurance
• Current vehicle registration in state of residence
• Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report

Must be able to pass a criminal history investigation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Works in normal office environment interacting with staff, candidates, and outside vendors. May be subjected to multiple interruptions throughout the workday. 
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear, or carry light training materials and/or equipment.
• The employee is occasionally required to lift to 25 pounds when preparing/transferring training materials and equipment.
• Visual acuity necessary to operate computers, audiovisual and other digital equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment while seated at a desk. Dexterity is used while performing work with personal computer keyboard, calculator and other office equipment. Driving to local (frequently) and some state-wide (occasionally) functions. 

This position may require incumbent to engage in overnight travel up to 10% of time as well as significant local travel in and around the community appropriate to the performance of duties and responsibilities. As such, incumbent must have: 

• Current driver’s license issued by state of residence, vehicle inspection, insurance, registration.
• Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.