Health Care Navigator

The SSVF Health Care Navigator provides services that include connecting Veterans to VA health care benefits or community health care services where Veterans are not eligible for VA care. SSVF Health Care Navigators provide case management and care coordination health education interdisciplinary collaboration coordination and consultation and administrative duties. The Health Care Navigator will act as a liaison between One80 Place and the VA or community medical clinics and works with a population of Veterans with complex needs who require assistance accessing health care services or adhering to health care plans.

The SSVF Health Care Navigator works closely with the Veterans assigned multidisciplinary team including medical nursing and administrative specialists and case management personnel. The SSVF Health Care Navigator works within this team to provide timely appropriate Veteran centered care. The SSVF Health Care Navigator works collaboratively with the team and the Veteran to identify and address systems challenges for enhanced care coordination as needed.

One80 Place ends and prevents homelessness throughout South Carolina with offices located in Charleston and Columbia. This position will be based in Columbia. The SSVF Health Care Navigator is funded in whole by the VA through One80 Places SSVF Program and they will dedicate 100% of their time on Veterans and their families served by the SSVF Program.

STATUS: Full-time Regular / Exempt

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. A High school diploma or equivalent required. A degree in healthcare or social services is preferred.

2. 1-2 years experience working directly with patients in a healthcare setting.

3. Excellent oral and written communication skills

4. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information to include protected health information

5. Ability to work as a member of a team and promote teamwork with other staff members

6. Ability to work with clients in a compassionate non-judgmental manner

7. Ability to work and act independently

8. Knowledge of computers and multiple programs.

9. Ability to manage multiple projects

10. Excellent oral and written communication skills

11. Excellent organizational skills

12. Valid drivers license and reliable transportation.

13. The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Non-Clinical Assessment

1. Conduct and document assessments with the Veteran and their household members to understand the Veterans situation potential barriers to care the causes and the impact of such barriers on the Veterans ability to access and maintain health care services.

Client Education Activities

1. Works with health clinic and case management staff to provide and/or schedule client education on topics such as the importance of a medical home and the difference between the emergency room mental health adherence etc.

Referral Activities

1. Receives and reviews all referral requests/orders to initiate referral tracking protocol.

2. Contacts clients prior to scheduling appointments to assess clients scheduling preferences/needs. Reviews details and expectations about the referral with the client.

3. Assists clients with problem solving potential issues related to navigating the healthcare system financial or social barriers by working in partnership with the assigned case manager.

4. Contacts clients to provide appointment date time location and preparation information if appropriate.

5. Provides information concerning the referral process.

6. Follows up on incomplete referrals (client no show/cancel appointment).

Care Coordination

1. Promotes timely access to appropriate health care.

2. Connect clients to relevant community resources with the goal of enhancing client health and well-being increasing client satisfaction and reducing unnecessary health visits.

3. Serve as the contact point advocate and informational resource for clients permanent housing team family members and community resources

4. Work with clients to plan and monitor care.

5. Develop a care plan with the client family members and providers (emergency plan health management plan medical summary and ongoing action plan as appropriate).

6. Create ongoing processes for clients and family members to determine and request the level of care coordination support they desire at any given point in time.

7. Facilitate client access to appropriate medical and specialty providers.

8. Educate client and family members about relevant community resources.

9. Facilitate and attend meetings between client family members housing case managers and community resources as needed.

10. Assist with the identification of high-risk clients (the chronically ill and those with special health care needs) and flag those for follow-up.

11. Work with enrolled SSVF clients that develop the need for higher levels of care to successfully place them in appropriate facilities.

12. Assist with transportation barriers and develop a long term plan with the participant to address transportation to and from medical appointments when possible.

13. Support the case manager to ensure clients basic needs are met and benefits are maximized.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

1. Works in collaboration with all One80 Place staff to facilitate a team environment and work towards meeting the mission of ending and preventing homelessness.

2. Participates in team discussions to best meet client needs.

3. Actively participates in monthly staff and team meetings and commits to group decisions.

4. Attends scheduled training programs for professional development.

5. Role models effective team behavior.

Physical Environmental and Sensory Demands:

1. Requires sound mental reasoning sound judgment and the ability to respond calmly and effectively in a crisis.

2. Requires the ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness.

3. Requires corrective vision and hearing to normal range; ability to move between service locations; ability to lift 25 lbs.

4. Possible exposure to communicable diseases emotionally stressful working conditions and irregular hours.