Health Care Navigator – Volunteers of America Colorado Branch – Denver, CO

This position works in conjunction with the SSVF case management team, the Veteran’s assigned interdisciplinary team, which includes medical, nursing, administrative specialists, and case management personnel. The SSVF health care navigator works within this team to provide timely, appropriate, and equitable 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.

This position also includes outreach to Veteran households throughout the program’s service area as needed.

The duties and responsibilities of the Health Care Navigator are subject to change depending on the needs of the SSVF grantee and the Veteran population experiencing homelessness in a geographic catchment area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES –

• Non-Clinical Assessments: conducts assessments of the Veteran in collaboration with interdisciplinary health teams, the Veterans family members, and significant others to assess Veteran’s situation, potential barriers to care, and the impact of such barriers on the Veteran’s ability to access and maintain health care services.
• Assists team in conducting outreach to inform eligible clients of services provided and to develop connections with outside agencies.
• Receives and assess calls for service and conducts intake process as needed.
• Documents all calls received and disposition each in format provided.
• Refers ineligible applicants to other organizations/programs which would best serve the applicant’s needs.
• Works closely with Veterans to assist them in communicating their preferences in care and personal health-related goals to facilitate shared decision making of the Veteran’s care.
• Serves as a resource for education and support for Veterans and families and helps identify appropriate and credible resources and support tailored to the needs and desires of the Veteran.
• Coordinates referrals to the VA, community health clinics, and other programs needed to ensure access to health care.
• Regularly reviews Veteran’s care plan goals, conducts regular non-clinical barrier assessments, and provides resources and referrals needed to support adherence.
• Monitors Veteran’s progress in care plans, maintains comprehensive documentation, provides information to treatment teams when appropriate, and assists Veteran in identifying concerns or questions about their treatment or medications to develop open communication with the provider or treatment team.
• Acts as an advocate for the Veteran, integrating the Veteran’s cultural values into their care plan.
• Acts as a health coach for the Veteran seeking services by providing comprehensive case management and care coordination across episodes of care.
• Acts as a community liaison for Volunteers of America, maintaining cooperative working relations throughout the community and providing accurate program information through presentation and literature.
• Serves as a liaison to VA and community health care programs and represents the SSVF program in contacts with other agencies and the public.
• Helps coordinate supportive and additional services with the Veteran, including but not limited to housing, financial benefits, and transportation and provides referrals upon the Veteran’s preference
• Assists in identifying the Veteran and Veteran family’s health education needs and provides education services and materials that match the health literacy level of the Veteran
• Adheres to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws, and agency policies (e.g. critical incident reporting, HIPPA, mandated reporting)
• Identifies systemic barriers within the program, communicates with program leadership about these barriers, and works collaboratively to find viable solutions.
• Assists in developing policy, procedures, and practice guidelines related to the specialty program using knowledge gained from research or best practices.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Service).

Models VOACO’s three strategical critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

N/A

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION:

Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a closely related field or related experience -AND- 1 years of direct, full-time case management experience demonstrating the ability to consistently apply field-relevant best practices and standards.

OR- Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology or a closely related field.

Must possess a Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.

Must possess a personal vehicle that may be used for work-related travel (reimbursement for mileage is available).

Must complete agency and program credentialing within 12 weeks of hire and maintain credentialing standards thereafter

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION:

Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness and the Veteran population.

Master’s level social worker or equivalent education and experience is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge and skill in the application of Harm Reduction, Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and Housing First Principles.
• Ability to respectfully and professionally serve individuals hailing from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ideologies, and religions.
• Ability to work and thrive within a diverse, multicultural team environment.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to apply appropriate self-care in the face of often difficult and/or traumatic situations which commonly present while working with persons in need of services.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Travel throughout the program’s service area is required on a regular basis.

Must be able to work in diverse environments such as homeless shelters, service facilities, streets, offices, hospitals and health care facilities, and all other locations as necessary to fulfill program objectives.

Bending, Climbing, Stooping, Kneeling, Reaching, Crouching, Squatting, Lifting (30 to 50 pounds) Balancing, Standing, Sitting, Hand/Foot motions, Walking, Seeing (Close and distant vision, Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Assess, Estimate), Depth Perception, Hearing/Listening, Speaking/Shouting (Communicate, Discern, Convey, Express, Exchange), Use of Hands/Fingers (Grasping, Holding, Touching), Thinking, Calculating, Memory/Recall, Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

Full-Time

Work hours may vary but are typically regularly scheduled around a 40-hour workweek designed to fulfill program objectives with occasional overtime requirements.

LOCATION

Throughout program service area. VSS Field Offices located in: Denver, Greeley, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Durango, Alamosa, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs.

Salary: Commensurate with experience, expertise, proficiency and market bench marking.

Benefit eligibility is based on job type/status

• Paid Holidays.
• Paid Time Off.
• Volunteer/Wellness Day.
• Tuition Assistance.
• Pension and 403b Retirement Plan.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurances.
• Life Insurance (Including Accidental Health & Dismemberment).
• Accident Insurance.
• Short Term & Long Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance Program.
• Employee Discount Program.
• LifeLock with Norton.