Outpatient Therapist - Navigator Services

Overview

Sonora is a leading behavioral health provider, operating a 140-bed inpatient hospital along with ECT and outpatient therapy services. Located in Tucson, Arizona, we are dedicated to serving children, adolescents, and adults across all stages of behavioral health needs. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care, and we are seeking motivated, dedicated professionals to join us in making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Therapist role assess, diagnose and provide clinical services for those with behavioral health disorders.  Therapists conduct individual, group or family sessions as appropriate for the treatment plan of the patient.  The Outpatient Navigator supports continuity of care by guiding eligible patients transitioning from inpatient or residential behavioral health treatment into Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP), or other community-based services.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Therapist: 

• Apply psychotherapeutic techniques and interventions in the delivery of services to individuals and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed emotional and behavioral disorders.
• Conduct a psychosocial assessment and develop an initial discharge plan.
• Conduct individual, group or family sessions as appropriate for the treatment plan of the patient.
• Provide initial treatment planning for patient based on assessment and coordinate any additional services needed, revising as necessary.
• Maintain documentation of therapy services provided to each patient according to facility and professional standards and revising as indicated by facility or professional standard.
• Maintain a caseload as assigned.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and collaborate with other staff to facilitate services for the patient, as appropriate to their treatment plan.
• May provide these services in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
• May perform case management, discharge or after care planning as needed.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

Navigator Services:

• Maintain multiple in-person check-ins during patient’s inpatient stay, including 1:1 discussions, facilitation of inpatient transitions/discharge groups, and participation in treatment team  
• Support patients with outpatient orientation/program introduction, including completion of required admissions documentation and consent forms, and introductions to PHP/IOP leaders and therapists  
• Partner with other hospital departments to facilitate step-downs, including: 
  • Clinical services to confirm clinical appropriateness for outpatient and include outpatient in treatment plans  
  • Business office (BO) for benefits verification and copay clarifications 
  • Utilization Review/Management (UM) to secure necessary authorizations. Support with ongoing UM, as needed, including, but not limited to pre-certifications, renewal authorizations, denial appeals, and tracking days remaining.  
  • Business development and marketing for support to convey outpatient value proposition and key messages for patient engagement  
  • Outpatient Services to ensure capacity, program compatibility, and mutual awareness of discharge dates 
• Track step-down admissions and conversion rate and trends over time  
• Identify barriers/opportunities to further enhance patient engagement and reduce readmissions

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

· Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

· Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or Human Services field required.

· One or more years’ experience working with comparable patient population required.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

· Requisite state or national licensure for professional therapy providers or eligible for state licensure as a professional therapy provider.

· CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

· First aid may be required based on state or facility.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

SONBH

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.