Health Care Navigator

About the role

The Health Care Navigator II position at U.S.VETS is dedicated to serving veterans and their families. This role focuses on connecting veterans to VA health care benefits and other community health care services, providing coordination of care, health education, and administrative duties.

Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between U.S.VETS programs and VA or community medical clinics, coordinating care for veterans with complex needs.
• Work closely with the veteran’s assigned multidisciplinary team, including medical, nursing, and administrative specialists, and case management personnel.
• Facilitate enrollment, assist with gathering/completing required documentation, follow up to ensure enrollment, schedule appointments, coordinate transportation, and solve any barriers.
• Conduct non-clinical assessments of the veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the veteran, family members, and significant others to understand their situation, potential barriers, and the impact on their ability to access and maintain health care services.
• Communicate with veterans to assist them in communicating their preferences in care and personal health-related goals, facilitating informed/shared decision-making for care.
• Identify and refer veterans and caregivers to supportive services, including housing, financial benefits, and transportation, in collaboration with the veteran’s primary/housing Case Manager.
• Support the veteran’s treatment plan by independently providing support to populations of mental health, substance abuse, homeless individuals, and applying knowledge of social service resource systems.
• 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.
• Develop relationships, conduct crisis intervention, and conflict resolution using motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction techniques.
• Ensure clear communication of recommendations to support the veteran and family members or caregivers, and identify questions they may have about their treatments.
• Assist in developing policies and procedures related to this specialty and the program, thoroughly and accurately entering relevant data into HMIS, electronic case records, and other digital platforms, and providing subject matter expert consultation to staff and community providers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 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, showing 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.
• Familiarity with health care systems, preferably with the Veteran’s Health Administration.
• Access to reliable personal transportation required, including a valid driver’s license, meeting company insurance requirements, and completing 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 213-542-2600, U.S. Mail, or hand delivering 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.