Navigator Military and Veteran Services

The Navigator for Military and Veteran Services provides case management services as well as support to fellow military members connecting veterans and military-connected individuals and their families with appropriate resources. They serve as a content expert with first-hand knowledge of the military experience and culture as well as ability to provide information on benefits and resources available to veterans and their families. They are a member of a multi-disciplinary team designed to provide outreach engagement and system support. Attends community outreach events to connect with veterans in the community and provide education about Gateway services. Hosts groups in the community to connect veterans and open the door to Gateway services. Assists in the ongoing development of programs and services offered for veterans and military-connected individuals.

Conduct community outreach to engage veterans and military-connected individuals in social and recreational activities to form meaningful and trusting relationships that can lead to identifying the need for behavioral health services. This includes but is not limited to:

Connects with VA Vet Center and local installations

Attends Yellow Ribbon events

Hosting groups in the community focusing on connecting veterans with each other and opening the door to mental health services as appropriate

Provides clinical interventions such as resource linking resource modification and development skill teaching and programming to consumers receiving services across all Gateway programs. Includes but is not limited to:

Assists consumers in connecting to VA benefits as applicable

Assists consumers in choosing getting and keeping decent affordable housing

Assists consumers in accessing medical and dental care as needed

Assists consumers in getting financial benefits

Assists consumers in developing social support network and participating in social and leisure activities

Provides resources to individuals receiving services to direct their own recovery process.

Coaches and supports the acquisition and use of skills needed to facilitate individual recovery.

Assists veterans and military-connected individuals in identifying their personal strengths abilities and needs and articulating personal recovery goals and advocating for themselves during treatment.

Promotes the identification and use of natural resources and support systems within the community accompanying them to assist in accessing services.

Assists in connecting and orienting new clients to the behavioral health treatment process

Demonstrates cultural sensitivity to the military experience and competence in trauma informed care as relevant to the needs of individuals in recovery.

Supports the individual in seeking to connect/reconnect with family friends and significant others and in learning how to improve or eliminate unhealthy relationships

Adheres to Veterans Recovery Resources policies and procedures.

Participates in supervision team conferencing department and agency meetings.

Maintains detailed accurate and timely documentation in medical record.

Follows agency policies and standards for client rights and confidentiality.

Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Veteran or military service-connected individual who has served in any branch of the US military.

Associate�s degree required.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work with the VA and obtain certification as a veteran service officer (VSO) within 1-year of employment.

Have demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing.

Attend trainings on relevant topics such as but not limited to behavioral health substance use chronic health conditions and military/veteran services

Must be able to attend outreach and engagement events in the community including those that occur at night and weekends

Actively practices self-care as a person with military-related experience with ability to balance lived experience with professional responsibilities

JOB KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY:

Valid driver's license and use of car during normal working hours or other means of transportation to complete major functions of job.

Ability to establish rapport and trusting relationships with clients being served demonstrating respectful and compassionate boundaries

Ability to work independently and also as an integral part of multidisciplinary team

Knowledge of resources available for veterans in Rhode Island

Ability to escalate care as needed

Willingness to learn and implement evidence-based tools such as Motivational Interviewing to better understand client�s needs and goals

Be able to use computer to record services or be willing to learn