Outpatient Program Navigator

About the role

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Greater New Orleans, we are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The Outpatient Navigator facilitates inpatient transitions into the Oceans Outpatient Program upon patient discharge, ensuring compliance with Joint Commission, Federal, and State Regulations, as well as the Oceans' Mission and Performance Improvement standards.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and assists in educating inpatient groups about Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) services and benefits.
• Facilitates the admit process for patients stepping down into the IOP program, including all required documentation such as screenings and signed consents.
• Ensures all new admit documentation is delivered to the Outpatient Coordinator or designated role prior to admit.
• Meets and escorts patients at the time of discharge from the hospital to their IOP group.
• Contacts family members to coordinate their participation in therapy sessions.
• Coordinates with case management in discharge planning, considering age, disability, and cultural needs, and involves the patient’s support system in decision-making as appropriate.
• Responds to patient and family inquiries regarding the outpatient program.
• Conducts follow-ups with patients and families after the first two weeks in the outpatient program.
• Communicates all patient and family concerns to the IOP director in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
• At least one year of experience working with psychiatric patients preferred.

Qualifications & Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to any age-related disability and the needs of the patients served.
• Able to assess and interpret data about the patient’s status to identify needs and provide appropriate care, including age-related, disability, and cultural sensitivity for adolescent, chronically mentally ill, adult, geriatric, chemically dependent, and dually diagnosed patient populations.
• In-depth knowledge of mental illness, chemical dependency, and related family dynamics.
• Basic knowledge of chronic mental illness.
• Excellent communication and group/process skills related to age-specific patient needs.
• Knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to the patient population served.
• Able to work with minimal supervision.
• Communicates in an age/disability/culturally sensitive manner to patients and their families.
• Must successfully complete BLS certification and an Oceans-approved behavioral de-escalation program.

Work Environment

• Subject to frequent interruptions and a high-paced, potentially stressful environment due to multiple calls and inquiries.
• May experience disagreeable odors, sights, and unpredictable patient behavior.
• Spends approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.