Behavioral Health Patient Navigator (RN)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of professional practice standards, ethics, and codes of conduct.
• Knowledge of medical, mental health, substance abuse, psychiatric, and co-morbid chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
• Ability to triage, assess, refer, and make appropriate recommendations for care for medically fragile, clinically complex patients with co-morbid substance use, behavioral health, and psychiatric conditions.
• Ability to exercise patience and professional presence in tense, stressful situations requiring action & clinical decision-making ability with little or no information.
• Knowledge of community resources, and how to make appropriate referrals to community and other state and governmental agencies for services.
• Requires independent clinical judgment in utilizing supportive, solution-focused, problem-solving skills when working with medically fragile & clinically complex patients with co-morbid conditions in a non-judgmental and culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with patients, providers, and team members.
• Ability to perform job responsibilities in an effective and appropriate manner in accordance with CFHC’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Ability to analyze, prioritize, and organize activities to meet established deadlines and provide timely customer service.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions clearly and precisely.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and sensitivity to persons of all social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to utilize electronic health record and practice management software to assist in patient scheduling and coordination of patient care.
• Ability to engage in data analysis and program monitoring & evaluation activities to include development and production of quality reports in a timely manner.
• Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, bend, lift, and move intermittently during the work day

Qualifications/Education Requirements

To qualify for this position, an individual must have an active, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Mississippi with 2 years of experience in an in-patient or out-patient psychiatric or substance use treatment setting or an active, unrestricted license as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with at least 5 years of experience in an in-patient or out-patient psychiatric or substance use treatment setting.  For purposes of this position description, a “psychiatric or substance use treatment setting” is defined as an in-patient psychiatric hospital or substance abuse treatment facility, an in-patient psychiatric unit or detox ward of a public hospital, an out-patient community mental health center, or the office of a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner in private practice.  Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications may be qualifying.

Core Competencies

• Works with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing a team-based patient-centered approach.
• Schedules patient appointments, makes and receives phone calls related to patient care.
• Assists in facilitating referrals for both internal and external services as appropriate.
• Attends meetings and records minutes for activities related to Special Populations.
• Documents patient communication within Electronic Health Record (EHR) as well as additional databases as necessary utilizing approved workflow processes.
• Required typing speed: 40-60 words per minute.
• Participates as a part of team huddles and other clinical team meetings as needed.
• Conducts quality improvement activities.
• Tracks and analyzes trends in clinical workflow processes and patient care.
• Monitors patient progress and adherence to treatment.
• Assists patients in navigating complex social and healthcare delivery systems.
• Provides direct assistance and administrative support to Behavioral Health & Psychiatric program staff.
• Performs related tasks and other duties as requested or required.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to local partner facilities and/or courts to assist in the filing of legal documentation at the request of psychiatric providers for purposes of civil commitment or direct admission to in-patient psychiatric, detox, or substance abuse treatment facilities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Upholds, complies with, and enforces the Core Principles and Code of Conduct