Position Title: Behavioral Health Navigator – Prop 47
Program/Location: Behavioral Health Navigation – San Luis Obispo
Position Summary:
The Behavioral Health Navigator is part of the Behavioral Health Navigation program. This BHN will work in support of Prop 47 efforts and is supervised by the Behavioral Health Navigation and Family Services Program Manager. This position promotes mental health recovery, wellness, empowerment, and advocacy, and will uphold and promote the philosophy of TMHA in all duties performed. Navigators on the Service Enhancement Team will provide services to two populations in our community.
The BHN will foster a welcoming environment, provide resources and system navigation, and assist with data collection efforts. Navigators will also strive to help clients, their families, and their caregivers take the first steps in receiving services, assess needs, and engage services for basic necessities within the justice system and clinic setting. In addition to working with County staff and other community partners, providing trauma-informed feedback on service accessibility, engagement tactics, and specific client issues.
Hours/ Salary:
Full-time, non-exempt position. 40 hours per week. Anticipated hiring range is $23.00-$24.00. Includes a generous individual benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life, 403b retirement (with up to a 5% employer match) paid vacation/holiday time, paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. (*Full Salary Schedule $23.00-$29.10 per hour).
Employee Perks/ Work Culture:
A few of our helpful employee benefits include membership discounts to various local fitness centers. We offer years of service gift cards to businesses of your choice. We offer gift cards for walking, biking, or carpooling to work as well as 20% discount for shopping at our Growing Grounds Downtown Store/Nursey/ Farm. We host two employee appreciation events for employees and their families yearly. We practice Trauma Informed Care Principles, Guidelines for Collaborative Conversations, and encourage the use of pronouns. We mindfully promote equality, respect and diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the fascinating characteristics that make us different! TMHA is also a pet friendly workplace (upon approval)!
Organization Description:
Transitions – Mental Health Association is a leading non-profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities. TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff. TMHA is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities and a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Welcoming Environment
1. Engage with clients and family members when they arrive at either the clinic or office for their appointments.
2. Help foster and maintain a welcoming environment for clients.
3. Act as a client advocate, ensuring the client’s needs and preferences are central to care decisions.
Resource & System Navigation
4. Support clients through the SLO County justice system, including but not limited to: probation, legal processes, Drug and alcohol services, and community supports to combat recidivism.
5. Coordinate and link the client to needed mental health, substance abuse, and housing resources.
6. Assist clients with paperwork for their appointments.
7. Support clients in discovering community support to aid in their recovery.
8. Help clients manage their appointments and calendar to stay in compliance with any compulsory or supportive efforts to combat recidivism. This may include making reminder calls and providing information on how to reschedule if needed.
9. Provide groups for clients to support and build community, as well as groups for the community to help with PE&I efforts.
10. Be knowledgeable of current community resources and how clients and family members can best access them.
Data Collection
11. Participate in data collection and evaluation activities, which may include surveys, interviews, and focus groups, as specified by Manager.
12. Maintained concise and comprehensive case records on all participants seeking services.
13. Document services and case notes in the agency’s Electronic Health Record within 72 hours of each service and in compliance with agency policy, as well as contractual, state, funding source and federal regulations.
General
14. Work collaboratively with the Behavioral Health Navigation and Growing Grounds Nursery team to fulfill the program’s goals.
15. Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities.
16. Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, the Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic and person-centered communication.
17. Develop and nurture supportive working relationships with Behavioral Health, Growing Grounds, County and other TMHA program staff.
18. Meet weekly with the Program Manager. Make recommendations to the Program Manager for program changes or enhancements.
19. Protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants.
20. Maintain a consistent schedule.
21. Respond to emails, phone calls, and all correspondence in a timely and professional manner.
22. Complete required hours of in-service training and attend all required meetings.
23. Understand, implement, and ensure recovery and wellness standards and philosophy in all programs, promoting the tenets of hope, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, education, and support.
24. Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Manager & Program Director.
Job Environment:
1. Light, physical activity. May include moving or lifting up to 25 lbs.
2. Involves moderate risks that require safety precautions and the risk of exposure to potential crisis situations.
Minimum Requirements:
1. One year of experience working with individuals in mental health, justice-involved, or similar settings required.
2. Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent preferred.
3. Spanish Bilingual preferred
4. The Behavioral Health Navigator will be an individual (consumer or family member) who possesses insight and experience with mental health services, providing empathy and understanding of the circumstances facing clients, and may interact with staff to determine client needs.
5. Current valid State Peer Certification or Completion of training and successful passing of state Peer Support Certification within the first 6 months of hire.
6. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.
7. Basic knowledge of mental illness, TMHA programs, and community services.
8. Must be proactive regarding self-care, with the ability to identify triggers and burn-out.
9. Must be able to set and maintain strong professional boundaries.
10. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral/written and communication skills.
11. Well defined organizational and time management skills.
12. Ability to work independently and flexibly.
13. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.
14. Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level.
15. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.
16. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.
17. Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction.
18. Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.
19. Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
20. Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services
21. Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity.
22. Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business.
23. Conditions of employment include:
• Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize personal vehicle and auto insurance.
• Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.
• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.
Physical Demands:
1. Seeing
2. Hearing
3. Speaking
4. Stooping/Bending
5. Moving around office
6. Moving between offices/clients
7. Driving
8. Climbing
9. Lifting/carrying heavy items
10. Computer use
11. Pushing/pulling/dragging items
12. Standing for long periods
13. Working outside
14. Using hands/fingers