The Behavioral Health Navigator will engage with patients enrolled in collaborative care management of behavioral health conditions and provide brief evidence-based interventions. They will also monitor patient progress and collaborate with care teams to ensure effective treatment plans.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program and experience with screening for mental health and substance abuse disorders. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential for working in a fast-paced primary care setting.
UVA Health is seeking a full-time Behavioral Health Navigator (MSW – Master of Social Work) to support patients at UVA Health Primary Care Culpeper and UVA Health Pediatrics Culpeper.
This is an in-person position, with time split evenly (50/50) between the two clinic locations. The Behavioral Health Navigator will work collaboratively with care teams to support both Family Medicine and Pediatric patients and their families.
The Behavioral Health Navigator is a core member of the primary care team supporting the implementation of the Collaborative Care Model, along with the patient’s primary care provider and psychiatric consultant.
The Behavioral Health Navigator is responsible for support and coordinating care for patients enrolled in Collaborative Care Model services, assisting with the provision of brief evidence-based, condition-specific, protocol-driven services in treating common mental health and health behavior concerns in primary care (e.g. depression, anxiety, attention/behavior problems, trauma, suicide risk).
The majority of the Behavioral Health Navigator's time will be reserved for Collaborative Care Model activities; as time permits, the Behavioral Health Navigator will assist the general clinic population with addressing needs related to social determinants of health.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Essential Functions of the Job: Engage with patients enrolled in collaborative care management of behavioral health conditions.
Screen patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders included in Collaborative Care Model pathways.
Provide patient education about common mental health and substance abuse disorders and the available treatment options.
Support psychotropic medication management as prescribed by primary care providers, focusing on treatment adherence monitoring, side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.
Conduct outreach for patient engagement and follow-up care.
Provide brief behavioral interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate.
Develop and complete relapse prevention self-management plan with patients who have achieved their treatment goals and are soon to complete their course of care.
Monitor patient progress and response to treatment Systematically track treatment response and monitor patients (in person or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications.
Track patient follow up and clinical outcomes using a registry.
Document in-person and telephone encounters in the registry and use the system to identify and re-engage patients.
Document patient progress and treatment recommendations in EHR and other required systems so as to be shared with primary care providers, psychiatric consultant, and other treating providers.
Team collaboration and care coordination Participate in regularly scheduled (usually weekly) caseload consultation with the psychiatric consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient’s primary care provider.
Consultations will focus on patients new to the caseload and those who are not improving as expected under the current treatment plan.
Case reviews may be conducted by telephone, video, or in person.
Facilitate treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the medical provider and the psychiatric consultant and who may need more intensive or more specialized mental health care.
Provide or facilitate in-clinic or outside referrals to evidence-based psychosocial treatments as clinically indicated (mental health specialty care, substance abuse treatment).
Facilitate referrals for clinically indicated services outside of the organization to address social determinants of health (e.g., social services such as housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation).
Serve as clinic liaison to schools and other outside agencies for psychosocial topics and care coordination.
Non-Essential Functions of the Job: Ability to remote work during inclement weather/modified clinic operations REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities): Education: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited social work program.
BLS Certification within 90 days of hire Experience: Experience with screening for common mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.
Knowledge and skills: Interest in working in a fast-paced primary care setting and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team setting.
Ability to maintain effective and professional relationships with patient and other members of the care team.
Ability to effectively engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, when appropriate.
Ability to work with patients by telephone as well as in person.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None WORKING CONDITIONS: Job requires sitting for prolonged periods, standing/traveling or use of assistive and climbing (stairs, steps).
Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail, hear, speak, see, distinguish colors, read, ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull <20lbs.
May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer.
All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
