Behavioral Health Navigator

ABOUT PEOPLEONE HEALTH:

PeopleOne Health is one of the fastest-growing providers of value-based primary care and has earned the best-in-class member satisfaction scores. We deliver exceptional healthcare that reduces costs and significantly improves health outcomes by focusing on preventive care, behavior change, and keeping people healthier. The key to our successful culture is living our motto: care for yourself; care for each other; care for our members.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Behavioral Health Navigator is an integral part of PeopleOne Health’s care team and works directly with clinicians, Social Workers, and external partners to address members’ mental, behavioral, and social needs. This role emphasizes screening, care coordination, education, and resource navigation to improve overall health outcomes and member well-being. The Behavioral Health Navigator serves as a key connector between the care team, community organizations, and members in their designated area.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Supervision means the position has responsibility for the employee life cycle: hiring/firing, assigning work, performance reviews, disciplinary action, providing direction, training, scheduling/approving time off, etc.)

This position provides supervision to others: No

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Support the social worker in addressing mental, behavioral, and social needs for the patient population within the area.
• Coordinate care for members for therapy, psychiatry, and mental health resources with external behavioral health services.
• Provide Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screenings, resources, and referrals.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary care team to align physical and behavioral health needs.
• Conduct community outreach and build partnerships with local organizations and support programs.
• Coordinate with local substance use treatment providers for member assessments and referrals.
• Provide behavioral health and wellness education for members and employees.
• Tracks completion of mental health screenings and documentation in the EHR.

Other Duties:

• Participate in team huddles, care conferences, and staff meetings to support integrated care.
• Assist with tracking and reporting outcomes related to behavioral health referrals and member engagement
• Maintain accurate documentation of all interactions and follow-ups in the EHR.
• Support the distribution of educational materials for members on behavioral health and community resources.
• Provide assistance during member crises, including coordinating urgent referrals and contacting appropriate providers or emergency services, per protocol.
• Collaborate with clinical operations and training teams to improve workflows, forms, and processes related to behavioral health navigation.
• Stay current with community resources, behavioral health trends, and best practices to provide up-to-date guidance to members and the care team.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and contribute feedback to enhance behavioral health integration within primary care.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of PeopleOne Health.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service abilities.
• Demonstrates authenticity, empathy, and cultural humility in member engagement.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure or crisis situations.
• Knowledge of electronic health records (EHR) preferred.
• Maintains strict confidentiality per HIPAA guidelines.
• Independent, dependable, flexible, and proactive.
• Adaptable to change and eager to learn new processes and workflows.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field. 

OR

• Certified Medical Assistant with at least 3–5 years of relevant experience in:
• Behavioral health or primary care settings
• Care coordination, referral management, or patient navigation
• Conducting screenings (e.g., PHQ-2, GAD-7, SDOH tools)
• Supporting patients with behavioral health, substance use, or social service needs

EXPERIENCE:

• 1–3 years post-Bachelor’s experience preferred.
• Knowledge of area community resources required.
• Experience in mental or behavioral health, care navigation, or community outreach required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.)

• Ability to remain in a stationary position while working remotely for extended periods.
• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, telephone, and headset.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and staff by phone and electronic messaging.
• Minimal physical exertion required; occasional lifting of files or office equipment up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and adjusting focus
• The employee is regularly required to sit and use a computer.
• Frequently required to talk, hear, and reach with hands and arms.