Behavioral Health Access Navigator - Behavioral Health Adult - PRN

Position Status:

Shift:

Other (United States of America)

Hours per week:

0

Job Information
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

A Brief Overview
The Behavioral Health Admissions & Nurse Navigator serves as a central coordinator for patient access, admission, and navigation across the behavioral health continuum of care. This role functions as a liaison among patients, families, providers, and internal teams to ensure timely, appropriate placement and seamless movement through inpatient and outpatient services. This position integrates clinical assessment, care coordination, and navigation support to improve access, enhance patient experience, and ensure high-quality, efficient care delivery. The role requires expertise in psychiatric assessment across the lifespan and strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Education Qualifications

• Master's Degree Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field. A Required or
• Licensed Registered Nurse may be substituted for this educational requirement.
• Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing (BSN) Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• 1 year Psychiatric experience or Acute Care experience Required
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric services, or a related clinical setting. Preferred
• Experience in intake, admissions, care coordination, or navigation strongly. Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Strong psychiatric assessment skills across diverse populations. Required
• Knowledge of behavioral health levels of care and admission criteria.
• Ability to coordinate care across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and crisis management skills.
• Proficiency in electronic health records
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations, safety standards, and quality practices.
• Regular interaction with patients experiencing acute behavioral health needs, including occasional exposure to combative behaviors.
• Requires strong focus, organization, and ability to work under pressure, including emergency situations.

Licenses and Certifications

• Registered Nurse - KSBN A licensed Registered Nurse able to practice in Kansas or an appropriate educational degree with ability to practice. Required or
• Licensed Masters Social Worker - KSBSRB Required or
• Licnesed Masters Level Psychologist - KSBSRB Required or
• Licensed Professional Counselor - KSBSRB Required or
• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor - KSBSRB Required or
• Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist - KSBSRB Or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) Required or
• Licensed Psychologist - KSBSRB Required or
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist - KSBSRB Required or
• Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker - KSBSRB Required

What you will do

• Lead and streamline the behavioral health admission process, including a “one call/one number” access model.
• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments (child, adolescent, adult, geriatric) to determine level-of-care appropriateness.
• Facilitate admissions to inpatient and outpatient services based on clinical criteria.
• Coordinate alternative placements when admission is not appropriate or capacity is limited.
• Identify and address barriers to admission, patient placement, and access to care.
• Ensure all intake and admission documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with regulatory standards.
• Guide patients and families through the healthcare system from intake through episode of care.
• Initiate and maintain communication regarding treatment processes, procedures, and available resources.
• Coordinate services with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, case managers, and community providers.
• Connect patients to community resources, support services, and educational programs.
• Track patient progress, interventions, and outcomes across the continuum of care.
• Triage incoming calls and referrals; conduct initial intakes including clinical and insurance information.
• Collaborate with Patient Placement, unit staff, and leadership to ensure efficient patient flow.
• Oversee appointment scheduling and maintain timely throughput.
• Verify insurance benefits, obtain prior authorizations, and coordinate financial clearance as needed.
• Utilize Electronic health record and other systems to document patient interactions and maintain accurate records.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational policies, and the Kansas Nurse Practice Act (if applicable).
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and process optimization efforts.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including referral sources.
• Escalate risks, concerns, or barriers to appropriate leadership.
• Provide a professional, responsive, and patient-centered experience.

Required for All Jobs

• Complies with all policies, standards, mandatory training and requirements of Stormont Vail Health
• Performs other duties as assigned

Patient Facing Options

• Position is Patient Facing

Remote Work Guidelines

• Workspace is a quiet and distraction-free allowing the ability to comply with all security and privacy standards.
• Stable access to electricity and a minimum of 25mb upload and internet speed.
• Dedicate full attention to the job duties and communication with others during working hours.
• Adhere to break and attendance schedules agreed upon with supervisor.
• Abide by Stormont Vail’s Remote Worker Policy and will review and acknowledge the Remote Work Agreement annually.

Remote Work Capability

• Hybrid

Scope

• No Supervisory Responsibility
• 
  
• No Budget Responsibility No Budget Responsibility

Physical Demands

• Balancing: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Carrying: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Climbing (Ladders): Rarely less than 1 hour
• Climbing (Stairs): Rarely less than 1 hour
• Crawling: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Crouching: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Driving (Automatic): Rarely less than 1 hour
• Driving (Standard): Rarely less than 1 hour
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Frequently 3-5 Hours
• Feeling: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Grasping (Fine Motor): Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Grasping (Gross Hand): Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Handling: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Hearing: Frequently 3-5 Hours
• Kneeling: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Lifting: Occasionally 1-3 Hours up to 50 lbs
• Operate Foot Controls: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Pulling: Occasionally 1-3 Hours up to 50 lbs
• Pushing: Occasionally 1-3 Hours up to 50 lbs
• Reaching (Forward): Occasionally 1-3 Hours up to 50 lbs
• Reaching (Overhead): Occasionally 1-3 Hours up to 50 lbs
• Repetitive Motions: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Sitting: Frequently 3-5 Hours
• Standing: Frequently 3-5 Hours
• Stooping: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Talking: Frequently 3-5 Hours
• Walking: Occasionally 1-3 Hours

Physical Demand Comments:
Requires work under stress in emergency situations.

Working Conditions

• Burn: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Chemical: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Combative Patients: Frequently 3-5 Hours
• Dusts: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Electrical: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Explosive: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Extreme Temperatures: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Infectious Diseases: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Mechanical: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Needle Stick: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Noise/Sounds: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Other Atmospheric Conditions: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Poor Ventilation, Fumes and/or Gases: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Radiant Energy: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Risk of Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids: Occasionally 1-3 Hours
• Risk of Exposure to Hazardous Drugs: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Hazards (other): Rarely less than 1 hour
• Vibration: Rarely less than 1 hour
• Wet and/or Humid: Rarely less than 1 hour

Stormont Vail is an equal opportunity employer and adheres to the philosophy and practice of providing equal opportunities for all employees and prospective employees, without regard to the following classifications: race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, uniformed service, disability or genetic information. This applies to all aspects of employment practices including hiring, firing, pay, benefits, promotions, lateral movements, job training, and any other terms or conditions of employment.

Retaliation is prohibited against any person who files a claim of discrimination, participates in a discrimination investigation, or otherwise opposes an unlawful employment act based upon the above classifications.