SSVF Health Care Navigator Coordinator

The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division is dedicated to “Doing the Most Good” through programs that combat homelessness, hunger, provide safe spaces for youth, support sobriety, and offer hope to those in need.

About the role

The SSVF Health Care Navigator Coordinator assists Veterans in accessing health care through VA or community providers, supports health care plans by identifying barriers to care, and provides education on wellness-related topics. This role does not involve direct health care services, mental health counseling, or treatment recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Specialized Case Management and Care Coordination (60%):
  • Perform SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness with serious mental illness, medical impairment, or co-occurring substance use disorders.
  • Assist Veterans in accessing VA health care (including mental health) or community care, facilitating enrollment, gathering documentation, and ensuring completion of the enrollment process.
  • Support Veterans in scheduling and attending health care appointments, identifying needs, and collaborating with health care teams.
  • Conduct screenings to identify barriers to adhering to health care plans and assist Veterans in communicating with providers to make informed decisions.
  • Problem-solve barriers to care, such as transportation or childcare.
  • Provide education or create linkages for Veterans to learn about wellness topics (e.g., smoking cessation, diabetes management, exercise) and connect them to support groups or programs.
  • Assist the SSVF Legal team in securing medical documentation for VA and Social Security claims.
  • Provide crisis intervention for very low-income, chronic, and non-chronic homeless Veterans.
  • Document cases consistently, including referrals, evaluations, statistics, and reports, using SIMS for data collection.
  • Conduct home visits when appropriate and monitor participant progress.
  • Maintain compliance with The Salvation Army’s “Safe from Harm” Certification.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor or Director of Veteran Services.
• Administrative (10%):
  • Perform HMIS (SIMS) data entry, review data for accuracy, and complete reports for timely submission to the VA.
  • Comply with program policies and procedures, including those set by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
• Collaboration (30%):
  • Participate in weekly HCN Huddles for team coordination and training.
  • Attend weekly CARF Task Force Group Meetings, CAST, CoC, monthly SSVF & GPD Team meetings.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with local social services, public benefit agencies, faith-based and community-based organizations, VA facilities, Vet Centers, Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) offices, and other referral networks.
  • Work closely with Veterans’ primary care providers and interdisciplinary teams.

Occasional overnight and weekend travel is required for offsite meetings, trainings, or participant meetings. Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and auto insurance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (advanced degree in social work, healthcare, or human services is ideal).
• 1-2 years of experience in claims/benefits processing or comparable experience.
• Valid driver’s license and MVR clearance.
• Experience with social services, healthcare settings, and/or homeless programs.
• Experience working with Veterans and families (Veteran status preferred).

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work cooperatively in a team.
• Close attention to detail and high level of confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Salvation Army services, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to multi-task in a high-pressure, time-sensitive environment.
• Interest and ability to work with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Proficiency in computer software applications, including MS Office and email.
• Self-starter with the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Pay

$55,000 - $60,000 annually.

Schedule

Full-time, exempt position. Flexibility in scheduling is required to accommodate occasional weekends, events, or deadlines.