Health Care Navigator

Looking for a rewarding position? How would you like to serve those who served? U.S.VETS is the largest nonprofit organization with boots on the ground to combat America's veteran homeless crisis head-on. Our holistic approach delivers intervention and prevention services, including housing, mental health and career programs, and wraparound services. With residential and service sites nationwide, U.S.VETS is uniquely positioned to help veterans and their families successfully transition to civilian life.

With a mission to end veteran homelessness, U.S.VETS is developing housing across the country and expanding vital homeless prevention programs that provide post-9/11 veterans and families with career and mental health services to transition to civilian life successfully. If you are looking for an opportunity to work for a great organization & make a difference, this is the job for you! Come & join our winning team!

Benefits include Paid Vacation, Sick Time, Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision and Company matching 401K

All applications must be completed in entirety/Local candidates only

Health Care Navigator II

The Health Care Navigator reports directly to an assigned Program Coordinator at a U.S.VETS site. The Health Care Navigator is responsible for providing services that include connecting veterans to VA health care benefits and/or other community health care services. The Health Care Navigator provides coordination of care/case management, health education, interdisciplinary collaboration, consultation, and administrative duties. The position will work closely with the veteran's primary care provider and members of the veteran's assigned interdisciplinary treatment team.

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between the U.S.VETS programs and the VA or community medical clinic and other healthcare providers, coordinating care for a population of veterans with complex needs who require assistance accessing health care services or adhering to health care plans
• Work closely with the veteran's assigned multidisciplinary team, including medical, nursing, and administrative specialists, and case management personnel. Work within U.S.VETS program team to provide timely, appropriate, veteran centered care in an equitable manner
• Assist veterans in accessing healthcare systems by facilitating enrollment, assisting with gathering/completing required documentation, following up to ensure enrollment, scheduling appointments, coordinating transportation, and problem solving any barriers
• Conducts non-clinical assessments of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members and significant others to understand the veteran's situation, potential barriers to care, the causes, and the impact of such barriers on the veteran's ability to access and maintain health care services

Health Care Team and Veteran Communication

• Work closely with veterans to assist them in communicating their preferences in care and personal health-related goals to facilitate informed/shared decision making for care
• Serve as a resource for education and support for veteran families and help identify credible resources and supports tailored to the needs/desires of the veteran
• Participate as needed in the development of the veteran's care plan, with emphasis on community services, outreach, and referrals needed for the veteran
• Review care plan goals with veteran and resource effectiveness, conduct regular non-clinical barrier assessments, provide resources and referrals to address barriers as needed
• Monitor veteran's progress, maintains comprehensive documentation, and provides information to the treatment team members when appropriate
• Use clear language to communicate recommendations to support the veteran and family members or care givers, as well as identify questions veterans and their families may have about their treatments

Specialized Care Coordination

• Provide comprehensive care coordination across episodes of care-acting as a health coach by proactively supporting the veteran to optimize treatment interventions and outcomes
• Coordinate health and wellness services with other organizations and programs to assure such services are complementary and comprehensive, directing activities to maximize effectiveness and a continuity of care for the veteran
• Assist in coordinating supportive and additional services with the veteran, which includes linking veterans and caregivers to supportive services, which include, but are not limited to housing, financial benefits, and transportation-in collaboration with the veteran's primary/housing Case Manager
• Serve as the subject matter expert on community resources related to the needs of the veteran
• Independently provides support to populations of mental health, substance abuse, homeless individuals
• Applies knowledge of social service resource systems to include public benefits and financial resources and self-help intervention strategies to include coordinating care for substance abuse and mental health
• Successfully develop relationships, conduct crisis intervention, and conflict resolution utilizing motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction techniques
• Practices patience, tolerance, tact, and diplomacy while maintaining a positive demeanor with clear/firm-yet-flexible boundaries in work with clients, teammates, providers, and the community

Health Education

• Assist in identifying the veteran and family's health education needs and provide education services and materials that match the health literacy level of the veteran
• Provide ongoing education and support as needed to the veteran and family members

Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Coordination, and Consultation

• Collaborate with other disciplines involved in providing care to the veteran
• Regularly consult with other team members and appropriately assess and address the needs of the veteran
• Understand the different roles within the interdisciplinary team and acts within professional boundaries
• Adhere to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws and agency policies (i.e., critical incident reporting, HIPPA, Duty to Warn)

Administrative and Systems Improvement

• Assist in developing policies and procedures related to this specialty and the program
• Thoroughly and accurately enter relevant data and/or case notes into HMIS, electronic case records, and other digital platforms in a timely manner
• Provide subject matter expert consultation to staff and community providers on the specialty area of practice
• Develop evaluation components and outcomes indicators and report those evaluation results to organizational leadership and VA

Additional Program-Specific Duties

• The Health Care Navigator reports to the Program Coordinator for the primary program assigned to
• Health Care Navigators assigned to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF) shall gain and maintain knowledge of the SSVF program to include eligible activity, client eligibility, goals, and regulations and are also to become knowledgeable of all U.S.VETS programs and share resources and care coordination efforts
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related social services field required
• 2-3 years' experience in the field of health care and/or medical social work
• Experience working with low income and/or homeless populations, preferably those in low-income subsidized housing arrangements and/or supportive housing programs
• Proficient typing and computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook/Word/Excel)
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate participants which may include evenings and/or weekends
• Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of roles - staff, residents, local agencies, contractors, lenders, etcetera
• Professionalism: high level of integrity and strong ethical values show capacity to maintain highest standards of confidentiality with all records, including organizational and individual information
• Strong oral/written communication and listening skills
• Self-motivated, well-organized, and accountable for work time, deadlines, and agency resources
• Quality control: demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, monitors own work to ensure quality and applies feedback to improve performance
• Familiar with health care systems, preferably with the Veteran's Health Administration
• Access to reliable personal transportation required, including a Valid driver's license, must meet company insurance requirements and complete a provided driver training course

Preferences

• Master's degree in social work or equivalent education and experience preferred
• License in Clinical Social Work preferred

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

U.S.VETS subscribes to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. U.S.VETS' policy is to provide employment, compensation, and other benefits related to employment based on qualifications, without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, U.S.VETS intends to comply fully with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, and the information requested on this application will be used only for purposes consistent with those laws.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - REQUEST FOR

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

In accordance with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S.VETS' policy is to provide reasonable accommodation for applicants requesting accommodation(s) during the application process, so the applicant may be given a full and fair opportunity to be considered for employment. If any candidate needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify U.S.VETS in any of the following ways: by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io, U.S. Mail, or hand deliver to U.S.VETS, 800 West 6th Street, Suite 1505, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Attention: Human Resources - Job Applicant Request.

OUR MISSION

To end and prevent veteran homelessness. We empower veterans and their families through housing, comprehensive services and advocacy.

Rev. 08/07/24