Screener/Navigator

Homespace Corporation Job Description

Job Title: Screener/Navigator Exemption: Non-Exempt

Class: Full-Time and Part-Time Date: March 2025

Reports to: Director of Operation and Ultimately the Executive Director

Basic Function: The Screener/Navigator (SN) is a human services position that assesses eligibility and navigates the New York 1115 Medicaid Waiver connecting eligible participants to needed services, such as housing, nutrition, transportation, health care and parenting needs. The SN is responsible for supporting and promoting awareness of Homespace Services & Programs while prioritizing our partnership with the regional Social Care Network (SCN). All SN will use a person-centered, holistic approach, where each person being served has their health care and other service providers collaborate to ensure their wants and needs are met. This position combines outreach and community engagement efforts with direct support to clients in understanding and applying for services under the 1115 Waiver, aimed at improving health outcomes and expanding Medicaid eligibility for targeted populations.

Homespace Values: Family * Self-Sufficiency * Responsibility * Security * Resiliency

Essential Functions:

• Work directly with the Social Care Network (SCN) partners to obtain screening and referral opportunities.
• Work within the community to identify potential participants by submitting a referral through the WNYICC portal to assess needs and eligibility.
• Cultivate relationships with the Office of Child Services (OFCS) to increase referrals.
• Cultivate independent community outreach to source referrals.
• Provide 1:1 screening to provide an empathetic and culturally competent assessment for social determinants of health needs to community members by telephone, virtually and/or in-person.
• Process screens and referral intake daily including calls with potential program participants, documentation, and insurance/eligibility verification.
• Manage incoming referrals received to ensure successful and timely connections are made between clients (community members) and the appropriate community partner that best meets community members' needs.
• Creation of individualized Social Care Plan, to include but not limited to required consents, assessment results, goals, interventions, identified services/programs and selected providers and all actions taken with client.
• Routine follow-up with clients. And maintenance of the client file.
• Conduct In-Home Assessments with clients/community members.
• Creation of transition plan (disenrollment/change in SCN) as needed and on time closure of cases.
• Maintain reporting requirements, data entry, evaluation forms, and other contract requirements.
• Ensure accurate data collection and data entry of participant information.
• Be knowledgeable of appropriate social care services to refer eligible participants that address the social factors impacting health, such as housing, employment, food and transportation.
• A minimum of 3 appropriate programming options and other resources as needed.
• Educate eligible referrals/participants in Homespace services/programs, monitor participation and interest.
• Provide Home finding, application submission, utility setup & assistance. Connection to resources aiding with housing cost and other expenses (i.e.: app fees assistance vouchers, transportation to interviews and unit tours).
• Review of potential living units to confirm the environment is move-in ready to ensure seamless transition into the community.
• Assistance to clients facing housing-related issues. Assistance addressing circumstances surrounding behaviors that jeopardize housing placements.
• All required/requested documentation must be on-time (within 7 days of an event), clear and accurate. This includes completing case notes in, as well as completing notes in SCN IT platform.
• Meet requirement of minimum billable hours 120 for FTE and 60 for PTE.
• Attend WNY Integrated Care Screening/Navigation Workgroup.
• Passion for working with families, competency working with diverse cultural and ethnic populations.
• Strong written and oral skills, comfortable speaking to groups.
• Effectively build and maintain external and internal relationships and provide a high level of service.
• Comfortable working with at risk participants, including those with mental health diagnosis.
• Demonstrated capability to conduct oneself in a calm and professional manner when dealing with people and/or with difficult situations.
• Strong written and oral skills, comfortable speaking to groups.
• Communicate with the supervising Director to maintain dignity and safety of participants, facilitators and staff.
• Strong personal initiative to motivate participants.
• Strong communication skills to convey neutrality and supportiveness.
• Strong ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Confidence speaking during needs assessment consultations and in group settings.
• Other relevant duties as assigned by the DOO or the Executive Director.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensure that all records are in compliance with expectations, regulations, and recommendations.
• Ensure that confidentiality is respected and maintained among all clients.
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements related to resident population and operations.
• Work with state reviews, expectations, codes, and follow up.
• Monitor and ensure appropriate and timely documentation is completed.
• Ensure accurate data collection and data entry of participant information.
• Maintain reporting requirements, data entry, evaluation forms, and other contract requirements.
• Maintain operations by compliance with policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all aspects of the Homespace Employee Handbook.
• Assist in furthering the mission, policies and procedures of Homespace as a whole.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director of Services.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, psychology, rehabilitation counseling or related field plus work experience in human services, Licensure preferred.

· Experience working with complex clients care services a plus.

· Experience working in intake or case management a plus.

· Experience enrolling Medicaid applicant’s a plus.

· Child Welfare experience is essential, specifically related to developing positive relationships across service systems.

Plus:

• Valid New York State driver’s license and an ability to transport. Personal Transportation Necessary

· If driving one’s vehicle, you must maintain valid inspection and automobile insurance.

· Must provide proof of insurance upon hire and when requested.

· Must maintain an active NYS Defensive Driving class every 3 years, upon expiration.

• Working hours will vary to meet programmatic needs, flexibility is essential.
• Ability to carry, lift, or hoist heavier objects at times, including children. Must have mobility enough to regularly climb at least one flight of stairs, utilizing multiple levels.
• Maintain CPR/FA approved status
• Complete and attend TCI full training and refreshers, and other crisis interventions
• State mandated background checks to include the following: Clearances through the NYS Central Register, the NYS Sex Offender Registry, NYS Justice Center Staff Exclusion List, fingerprinting, and criminal history check from IndentoGo, NYS OMIG Medicaid Exclusion List, monthly Medicaid Exclusions database check and the SS Death Master Check.
• Completion of a work physical upon hire and yearly thereafter.
• Other qualifications as deemed necessary by the Executive Director.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $21.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $24