In Response Community Navigator - Full-time

For 50 years, Buckelew Programs has been committed to the mission of providing mental health and addiction services that promote recovery, resilience and hope. The agency provides numerous essential community services throughout Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties ranging from supported housing and job training for people with mental illness to outpatient psychotherapy and other support for children, adults and families, as well as residential detoxification services, and a regional suicide prevention program and crisis hotline. 

The In Response Community Navigator provides support in the planning and operation of services to ensure smooth functioning and clear communication.  Under direction of the Program Manager, advocates for and represents clients, their family members and the loved ones of mental health clients and supports and facilitates timely and informative interactions between family members and mental health service programs and staff.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Peer/Family Advocate Support

• Provide system navigation for clients who have just experienced an acute mental health challenge.  Assist in accessing various medical, detention and psychiatric care facilities as needed and directed. Encourage client efforts at utilizing community supports and peer-based supports.
• Provide transportation in personal and agency vehicles as directed. 
• Facilitate peer and family support groups as needed.   
• Assist Program Manager in planning, implementing and monitoring services to meet the needs of the client and their family members. 
• Provide input to the Program Manager and other members of the In-Response Team in the development of peer and family member policies.
• Represent peer and family members within the mental health system and provide individual support and accurate information to assist families or support persons interacting with the system, community supports and services.   Assure that services are delivered with cultural sensitivity and in the preferred language of the family receiving support services.  Provide accurate and relevant information to the client and family members regarding legal processes in the mental health system.
• Represent client and family members’ issues to mental health managers, supervisors and staff to enhance awareness and sensitivity regarding family member concerns.
• Train, inform and assist client and family members in developing skills to enable them to care for and effectively advocate for the client and family members receiving services.  Provide similar training to mental health staff to facilitate client and family involvement in services.
• Provide support and information to assist family members of persons and individuals with mental health challenges who are incarcerated in the county jail by way of coordination and communication with the Mental Health Jail Liaison.
• Collaborate with the Patient Rights Advocate to ensure clients and families are aware of current legislation that will impact the services provided to client and family members.
• Investigate concerns and/or grievances as a designated representative of In-Response clients and family members or identified support persons.  Maintain written records of client / family members’ or identified support persons’ requests for assistance, including describing problems, actions taken, and results.  Enter, track and manage client and family services data in our electronic health records; generate reports as needed.  Communicate effectively with the client, family or identified support persons, treatment staff, supervisors, managers, administrators, support staff, Patient’s Rights Advocate (PRA) and other involved entities, about concerns or grievances pertinent to the request for services.
• Attend team meetings for In-Response and the Family Service Coordination Program.  

Outreach/Engagement

• Represent client and family interests in various community committees and task forces.
• Perform community outreach and engage in public speaking to increase public awareness of the impact of mental illness on clients and families, and the importance of family involvement in the treatment of client members.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with peer and family support groups other community providers.
• Help organize and participate in community events to promote Buckelew Programs’ services, provide resources, and decrease stigma.
• Develop and maintain community resources in order to provide peer and families and consumers with appropriate and up-to-date resources and support. 
• Recruit and assist in the supervision of volunteers and interns to enhance family service program and support clerical tasks.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:   BA/BS degree in Social Science discipline; OR Peer Support Specialist Certification; OR Patient Navigation Certification; OR Certification in Community Health, Advocacy, Drug and Alcohol or similar discipline.  A minimum of one-year experience working with adults with serious and persistent mental illness or children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbance as a Peer Support Specialist or Family Advocate, or significant involvement and work in the mental health family advocate movement.   Strong understanding of mental health systems, community services and supports identified through experience.

Professional:  Computer and office skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, email, fax, cloud-based programs, and electronic health records (EHR) are needed, accompanied by excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Must be fluent in English (written and verbal); Spanish language skills a plus.  Must understand and be sensitive and responsive to serving culturally diverse populations.  Ability to work autonomously with focused direction, advocate for team approach, utilize strong organizational skills, project appropriate confidence, listen well, problem solve in on-the-spot situations, remain calm and reassuring in unexpected situations while maintaining confidentiality.   Must have an interest in working with persons with mental and/or behavioral health disabilities. Able to identify areas needing improvement and to take initiative to suggest viable alternatives. Ability to work flexible hours required (generally normal business hours, with occasional flexibility needed for evening availability).  Must be able to work within with all the rules, regulations, and policies that govern agency compliance. Applicants must have valid California driver’s license with an insurable driving record, use of own vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed).  Ability to meet contract requirements.  A lived family or consumer experience with mental health and/or addiction desired.

Physical requirements:  Capable of the following intermittent activities:   stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, squatting, reaching above or below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, grasping, and lifting to 25 pounds.  Job frequently requires sitting, handling objects with hands and the use of fine motor skills.  Often operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Job occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching, talking, and hearing.  The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.  

 AA/EOE