Position Details

Care Transition Navigator

Are you seeking a career where you can make a difference? Gulf Coast Center (GCC) recruits people who are committed to compassionate, person-centered service. Join our team today!

  • Monday - Friday 8a-5p
  • 12 Paid Holidays each year (in addition to time off accrual)
  • Great Benefits
  • 5% Salary increase upon 90 days in role
  • Starting rate of pay based on experience doing a similar role
  • Career Ladder

The Gulf Coast Center - Job Description

Title:  Care Transition Navigator- Exempt

Department:  Gulf Coast Center SAMHSA Grant

Employee:  Full Time with Benefits 

Summary:

The Care Transition Navigator assists with the day-to-day operations of the Gulf Coast Center's Zero Suicide Pathways to Care Initiative.  The Pathway to Care is a specialized case management track in Gulf Coast Center Mental Health Services for adult and youth clients identified with suicidal risk including individuals experiencing suicidal thinking/impulses, overwhelming depression, or other mental health crisis related to safety. The Care Transition Navigator provides case management, crisis relapse prevention and suicide-specific interventions including safety planning interventions, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention until the client's crisis is resolved.  NOMs assessment completed with those on assigned caseload.

The Care Transition Navigator will maintain a caseload of individuals served.  The Care Transition Navigator will create and maintain a safe, calm, and secure environment with supportive care, trauma-informed practices, and recovery-focused, consumer-driven services.  Care Transition Navigator will be trained in and provide evidence-based therapy, as well as psychoeducation within their scope of training and expertise. Data collection and reporting is required, and strong organizational skills is a necessity. The Care Transition Navigator receives direct supervision from Program Manager.

Gulf Coast Center is committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive environment that welcomes and embraces diversity in all forms. Gulf Coast Center defines diversity broadly including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, abilities (mental/physical), gender, gender identity, immigrant status, language, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and age. Gulf Coast Center embraces trauma sensitive and informed practices, provides suicide safer care, and fosters a safe and compassionate environment that promotes racial and health equity.

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the behavioral sciences field of study from an accredited college or university

Preferred Education: 

Master's degree or equivalent in the behavioral sciences field of study from an accredited college or university and/or specialized LPHA certification.

Requires license: 

N/A

Preferred License:

  • LPC-A or LMSW: $48,032 annually 
  • Fully Licensed LPC, LCSW : $58,240 - $66,976 annually

Experience:

Experience in mental health services and knowledge about community resources and social services is preferred. Training in suicide prevention and crisis intervention (upon hire). Organization and typing skills are a must. Experience with tracking data and timely data reporting is preferred.

Ability:

  • Detailed knowledge of mental disorders and DSM criteria
  • Working knowledge of evidenced based therapy models
  • Basic knowledge of Trauma Informed Care model
  • Self-motivated with good time management skills
  • Effective interpersonal skills
  • Ability to self-monitor production and quality with minimal assistance.
  • Ability to recognize barriers and coordination issues between service systems, and to advocate effectively for individuals served.
  • Ability to establish cooperative relationships with individuals and their families
  • Mature problem solving and self-directed approach to daily work
  • Ability to accept responsibility and exercise independent judgment in making decisions
  • Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Requires ability to work within a team approach.
  • Proficient in the use of electronic data systems including electronic health records and business software such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Status:

Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act

Working conditions:

  • Work will be performed in the Office, Field and/or Remotely setting(s).
  • May require varied work hours depending on need of clients.
  • Local travel will be required to meet with individuals and their families in the community. 
  • Occasional out of town travel may be needed to assist in service linkages. 
  • Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
  • Flexibility is needed in the work schedule to accommodate the needs individuals and families. 
  • Staff may periodically transport individuals in personal and/or Gulf Coast Center vehicles.
  • Requires flexibility to work in both Galveston and Brazoria counties. 
  • Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation safe and current with all state requirements, and liability insurance.

Job Duties: 

  • Completes intensive training in the Zero Suicide frameworks including the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). screener and the Pathway to Care.

?Monitor the hospital discharge list to ensure aftercare appointment kept within 7 days.

  • Pathway to Care Navigator will provide Safety Planning Intervention and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) including a CALM checklist.
  • Conducts the Adult Needs & Strengths Assessment (ANSA)/Child & Adolescents Needs & Strengths Assessment (CANS) as clinically indicated for individuals as required & assigned. 
  • Provide case management and crisis relapse prevention services within 24 hours of the initial crisis service and then every three days for high risk and every 7 days for moderate risk. 
  • Pathway to care clients are to be scheduled with the prescriber within 7 days of their enrollment in pathway to care services.

?Care Transition Navigators will follow up within 24 hours with any pathway to care clients that miss an appointment.  The client's emergency contacts should be engaged if there is difficulty locating the client for follow up.  The Care Transition Navigator should initiate an in-person home visit if contacting emergency contacts is not successful in getting in touch with the client following a missed appointment.

  • Follow the Pathway to Care discharge process and treats discharge from the Pathway as an opportunity to celebrate the client's success.  
  • Communicate with the client's clinic treatment team when a client is discharging from the pathway to care to ensure continuity of care.
  • Participate in case review/supervision with LPHA supervisor assigned clients.

?Conducts service delivery in accordance with standards as defined by state and local authority. 

  • Responsible for ensuring completion of the initial & annual ANSA/CANS recertification in accordance with the Praed Foundation & HHSC performance contract requirements.   A lapse/expiration of certification will result in termination of employment.  Exception:  If certification lapse/expiration is reported to supervisor within 24 hours of expiration date, employee will be granted opportunity to recertify by close of following business day.  Any lapse/expiration greater than 24 hours will result in termination of employment.   
  • Required to participate in semi-annual quality assurance training activity conducted by identified ANSA/CANS Super User. 
  • Identifies, arranges, advocates, and collaborates with other agencies to assure an effective planned referral, discharge or transfer of services. 
  • Serve as member of the interdisciplinary treatment team providing individual/group therapy and crisis intervention services as needed and authorized by valid ANSA/CANS and Recovery Plan. 
  • All documentation is complete, accurate and clear as required by GCC Consumer Records Procedure within 2 business days.
  • Utilize Smartcare Reports and other report methodologies assigned to consistently monitor and complete required documentation as indicated by program standards. 
  • Meets or exceeds the established performance requirement for entire caseload each month.  Meets all productivity measures determined by leadership staff.
  • Effectively communicate with assigned team, collaborative agency members and leadership staff regarding service delivery, continuity of care and employment/administrative issues. 
  • Will be responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the agency compliance policy and will require communication with various departments to foster, develop and continue our community partnerships as it relates to the position.
  • Strict adherence to the professional, ethical, and legal requirements set forth in GCC's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.

Job Related Physical/Mental Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

Physical:

  • Ability to transport, adjust and/or move items up to 55 lbs.
  • Ability to ascend/descend stairs.
  • Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
  • Ability to handle objects.
  • Ability to operate office equipment.
  • Ability to move around within an office setting and/or other locations as needed; may include ability to bend/twist, kneel/stoop and/or reach for items.
  • Ability to push/pull, crawl/squat as it relates to PMAB requirements; may be required to perform PMAB restraints as it relates to program requirements. 
  • Ability to detect and write effectively.
  • Ability to hear (with or without aid).
  • Ability to have visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and observe objects within work setting.

Mental:

  • Ability to accept constructive criticism.
  • Ability to maintain regular attendance.
  • Ability to understand, communicate and comprehend accurate information with others in English.
  • Ability to reason and analyze effectively.
  • Ability to solve practical problems as it relates to position.
  • Required to pass and maintain all Center mandated trainings.

Work Site/Environmental Conditions:

  • Ability to work alone.
  • Ability to work closely with others.
  • Ability to work closely with clients and/or family members with poor hygiene. Ability to work long and/or irregular hours.
  • May be subjected to hostile environment.
  • May be subjected to high crime environment.
  • Potential exposure to tobacco products.
  • May be subjected to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
  • Subject to standard noise levels within working environment.
  • Travel by motor vehicle, van, bus or plane may be required.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodations as based on ADA requirements.