Are you passionate about helping people? Do you have a talent for listening, Problem solving, and advocating for others?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Care Navigator.

The Care Navigator will provide in-person outreach services to individuals in the community who are involved with the Criminal Justice system and have histories of behavioral health and/or substance use disorders, helping them to connect to needed resources and to overcome barriers impacting their care.

Who are we?

Behavioral Health Justice Involvement Program

This program seeks to establish a sustainable model for engaging adults involved in the criminal justice system with mental health and substance use disorders to improve health outcomes, reduce recidivism, decrease fatal overdoses and support effective transitions to needed services in the community.

Behavioral Health Network (BHN) is a growing non-profit community behavioral health agency that has been providing services to children, adults, families and communities in Western Massachusetts since 1938. BHN provides comprehensive, outcome-driven behavioral health care. We are dedicated to offering high quality, affordable and culturally appropriate care to people of all ages and income levels in our constituent communities.

Essential Skills

• Provide in-person, telephonic and Telehealth care management supports to individuals served based on the collaborative spirit of the integrated health model that promotes improved health, independence, self-sufficiency, reduced risk of future criminal behavior and increased community tenure.
• Meet individuals admitted to 24-hour facilities (e.g., jails, hospitals and substance use disorder treatment facilities) in-person or via Telehealth and maintains regular contact with them during their stay to assist with discharge planning and re-engagement with outpatient providers, community services and social supports.
• Act as primary “point of contact” for all individuals served on caseload, ensuring their needs are met.
• Complete Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment, individualized Support Plan, Safety Plan and Disenrollment Plan in collaboration with providers and supports, under the guidance of the Clinical Supervisor.
• Include all appropriate people in the individual’s care including jail and prison personnel, probation and parole officers, court personnel, primary care physician, nurses, mental health and substance use providers and natural supports as identified by the member, with their written consent.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of community services and how to help individuals access them including health insurance, food and nutritional assistance, housing placement and stabilization, financial assistance, utility assistance, educational/vocational supports and legal assistance.
• Provide crisis management in collaboration with the Clinical Supervisor and Emergency Services Program and serves as part of a 24 hour/7 day per week on-call response.

What are we looking for in a Care Navigator?

• Community Health Worker Certification and/or bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• High school diploma required.
• Bilingual, Spanish and English Speaking is (Required).
• Knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders, experience with justice involved populations and justice entities, care management services and how to access community resources.
• 1-2 years of work experience in a related behavioral health, substance use, correctional and/or related human services field is required.
• Lived experience of involvement in the Criminal Justice system, and recovery from behavioral health and substance use issues is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Vehicle should be Registered and inspected in accordance w 540 CMR 4.00.

How do I apply to be a Care Navigator?

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click 'Apply for Job' below, or visit our website at www.bhnworks.org and click on “Browse All Jobs” to apply!

BHN maintains its commitment to social justice and diversity and strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.