Social Service Navigator

Description

SUMMARY: The Social Service Navigator is a part-time member of Axess Family Services embedded within the Summa Health Emergency Room. This role provides direct, in-the-moment support to patients presenting with behavioral health needs, social barriers, medical follow-up challenges, or dental-related concerns. The Navigator ensures patients receive coordinated care, resource linkage, and appropriate follow-up support that enhances their overall health outcomes.

SUPERVISOR: Director of Community Impact or Designee

DU­TIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient Engagement & Support

• Conduct bedside engagement with ER patients identified as needing social, behavioral, medical, or dental navigation.
• Use trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches during interactions.
• Identify social determinants of health affecting patient outcomes.

Behavioral Health Integration

• Link patients to crisis services, outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, and substance-use treatment options.
• Coordinate with Axess Family behavioral health providers for follow-up and continuity of care.

Medical Integration

• Assist patients with primary care follow-up, specialist scheduling, medication access, and post-discharge planning.
• Collaborate closely with ER nursing, physicians, and case management.

Dental Integration

• Identify urgent dental needs and coordinate referrals to community dental resources.
• Provide information on preventive care and access pathways for uninsured/underinsured patients.

Care Coordination & Documentation

• Assess eligibility for community programs (housing, food, benefits, transportation, etc.).
• Facilitate warm handoffs to community agencies whenever possible.
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation in designated systems.

Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary communication with ER staff and Axess Family Services.
• Maintain strong communication with supervisors regarding case trends and workflow needs.

The Duties and Responsibilities above represent the most significant duties of this position, but do not exclude other assignments that would be within the qualification and responsibility levels of this position.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Associate Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Public Health or related field.
• Experience working with diverse clients experiencing behavioral health, substance use, or medical/social barriers.
• Ability to adapt, strong communication skills, and calm decision making.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced clinical environment with high patient turnover.
• Ability to move between patient rooms and clinical areas
• Availability for variable day and night shifts.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, or related behavioral health field.
• Prior experience in emergency department settings, care coordination, or behavioral health support.
• Familiarity with community resources, Medicaid/insurance navigation, and trauma informed practices

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Unrestricted State of Ohio driver’s license

COMPLIANCE:

This position requires compliance with AFS’ written standards, including its Compliance Program and Standards of Conduct and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.

Failure to comply with AFS’ Written Standards, which may include the failure to report any conduct or event that potentially violates legal or compliance requirements or AFS’ Written Standards or, for managers and supervisors, fails to detect non-compliant conduct where reasonable efforts would have resulted in detection, will be met by the enforcement of disciplinary action, up to and including possible termination, in accordance with AFS’ Compliance Program Policy and Procedure: Addressing Instances of Non-Compliance through Appropriate Disciplinary Actions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands 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 essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and use hands to finger handle or feel; to talk; or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to frequently lift up to 25 pounds. The employee may occasionally be required to lift 25 to 50 pounds; however, this is not essential; duties may be shifted to accommodate lifting restrictions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less). The employee will occasionally be working near moving mechanical parts, be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and exposed to a risk of electrical shock while running the copier, printer, other standard equipment and answering the telephone. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate. Stress level can be high at times.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job.