Healthcare Navigator - Supportive Services for Veteran Families

Position Summary

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CPSEMO) is seeking a compassionate, organized, and resourceful Health Care Navigator to support Veterans and their families participating in our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.

The Health Care Navigator plays a critical role in helping enrolled Veteran households overcome health-related barriers that may impact housing stability and retention. Serving approximately Veterans annually across CPSEMO's 14-county rural service area, this position helps Veterans access medical, behavioral health, and substance use treatment services through the VA and community-based providers.

This position is particularly important in a rural service area where transportation challenges, provider shortages, and long distances to VA facilities can create significant barriers to timely care.

The Health Care Navigator does not provide direct clinical services. Instead, this position helps Veterans rapidly connect with appropriate health care systems and providers and works closely with the SSVF Case Manager to incorporate health-related needs into individualized housing stabilization plans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Health Care Navigation

• Assess health-related barriers that may affect a Veteran's ability to obtain or maintain stable housing.


• Identify gaps in medical, behavioral health, and substance use treatment services.


• Assist Veterans with navigating complex health care systems and accessing appropriate services.


• Help Veterans understand available health care resources and eligibility requirements.


• Coordinate with Veterans, Case Managers, VA personnel, health care providers, and community partners to promote timely access to care.

VA and Public Benefits Coordination

• Assist Veterans with enrollment in and navigation of VA health care services.


• Assist eligible Veterans with applications and enrollment for public health insurance programs and other applicable benefits.


• Facilitate connections with VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and qualified community providers.


• Help Veterans resolve barriers that interfere with accessing or maintaining health care coverage.

Referrals and Care Coordination

• Facilitate referrals to medical, behavioral health, substance use, dental, and other appropriate health services.


• Assist with appointment scheduling and follow-up.


• Coordinate transportation to medical and behavioral health appointments when necessary.


• Assist Veterans with discharge planning and transitions between inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services.


• Follow up with Veterans to identify unresolved barriers and ensure appropriate connections to care.

Housing Stability

• Collaborate closely with SSVF Case Managers to integrate health care needs into individualized housing stabilization plans.


• Identify health-related issues that may jeopardize housing stability or contribute to a return to homelessness.


• Support interventions designed to improve housing retention and long-term stability.


• Maintain appropriate communication with the Case Manager and other members of the service team while protecting Veteran confidentiality.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services, referrals, contacts, and outcomes.


• Document services in accordance with CPSEMO, SSVF, VA, and applicable federal requirements.


• Maintain appropriate records related to health care navigation and referrals.


• Participate in program meetings, case reviews, training, and quality improvement activities.


• Ensure services are delivered consistently with applicable SSVF guidance, SSVF Core Concepts, and 38 CFR Part 62.


• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of Veteran and household information.

Community Outreach and Partnerships

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with VA facilities, CBOCs, community health care providers, behavioral health agencies, substance use treatment providers, transportation providers, and other community resources.


• Maintain current knowledge of health care resources available throughout CPSEMO's 14-county service area.


• Help identify gaps in available services and communicate emerging resource needs to program leadership.


• Participate in community meetings, outreach activities, and professional development opportunities as appropriate.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• Experience working with individuals or families experiencing barriers to accessing health care, housing, social services, or other community resources.


• Strong organizational and communication skills.


• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.


• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.


• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team.


• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout CPSEMO's 14-county service area.


• Ability to maintain accurate records and complete required documentation.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, healthcare administration, public health, behavioral health, or a related field.


• Experience working with Veterans or military-connected families.


• Experience working with the Department of Veterans Affairs or SSVF programs.


• Knowledge of VA health care, Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace insurance, or other public benefit programs.


• Experience with health care navigation, case management, care coordination, behavioral health, substance use services, or housing services.


• Familiarity with resources and service providers throughout Southeast Missouri.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.


• Compassion and respect for Veterans experiencing complex challenges.


• Ability to navigate complex health care and social service systems.


• Strong problem-solving and advocacy skills.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Strong time management and organizational abilities.


• Ability to manage multiple Veterans and referrals while meeting deadlines.


• Ability to work effectively in a rural and geographically dispersed service area.


• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, electronic databases, and other standard office technology.

Work Environment

This position serves Veterans throughout CPSEMO's 14-county rural service area and may require travel to VA facilities, CBOCs, community providers, Veteran homes, and other service locations.

The position may involve working with Veterans experiencing homelessness, housing instability, mental health concerns, substance use challenges, chronic health conditions, transportation barriers, and other complex circumstances.

The Health Care Navigator must be comfortable working in both office and community-based settings and responding professionally to changing client needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CPSEMO) is an equal opportunity employer. CPSEMO is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About CPSEMO

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri is committed to strengthening individuals, families, and communities throughout Southeast Missouri by connecting people with resources, opportunities, and supportive services that promote stability and self-sufficiency.

Through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, CPSEMO works alongside Veterans and their families to prevent and resolve homelessness, promote housing stability, and connect households with the resources they need to achieve long-term stability.

CPSEMO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.