Behavioral Health Referral Manager-Patient Navigator

Overview

Behavioral Health Referral Manager/Patient Navigator —
Behavioral Health —
Department of Tribal Health

Hourly Wage: $23.28;
Regular/Full-Time

The Behavioral Health Referral Manager/Patient Navigator ensures timely and efficient coordination of behavioral health referrals, supporting transitions and access to services. This role oversees and coordinates the full referral lifecycle for behavioral health clients, ensuring referrals are accurately received, verified, scheduled, tracked, and completed in a timely manner per established program protocols. This role manages referral tracking systems and maintains ongoing communication between internal providers, external partners, and clients to prevent gaps in care/services.

The role also generates referral reports to support compliance and quality assurance efforts. Primarily administrative, this position is essential to ensuring smooth care transitions and preventing clients from falling through the cracks, thereby promoting continuity of care and timely access to services.

• Receive, review, and process behavioral health referrals in compliance with program guidelines and timelines.
• Coordinate and schedule appointments with internal behavioral health providers and external community partners.
• Track and monitor referrals from initiation through completion using referral tracking systems or electronic health records.
• Maintain ongoing communication with providers, care teams, partner agencies, and clients to ensure follow-through and continuity of care.
• Manage and monitor all incoming and outgoing behavioral health referrals.
• Follow up with clients and providers to ensure referrals are completed.
• Identify and address barriers to care/service access, including missed appointments, incomplete referrals, or authorization issues (transportation, insurance, scheduling).
• Confirm referral completion and document outcomes accurately in client records.
• Generate and maintain referral reports to support compliance, quality assurance, and program monitoring.
• Monitor referral timelines and escalate delays or service gaps as appropriate.
• Ensure all referral documentation meets regulatory, contractual, and organizational standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and behavioral health privacy regulations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care coordination meetings as needed.
• Maintain and update referral tracking systems (EHR tools, spreadsheets).
• Educate and communicate the available services to clients, community members, and community partners.
• Assist with outreach initiatives to strengthen partnerships and promote services.
• Support care coordination efforts and system improvement projects.
• Train staff in referral processes and communication standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
• Frequent interaction with clients, providers, and community partners.
• Limited local travel for community engagement and provider coordination.
• Schedule:
  
  Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; occasional evenings/weekends for outreach events.

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Knowledge of behavioral health systems, community resources, referral processes, and care coordination practices.
• Strong organizational and tracking and follow up skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse clients, providers, and community partners.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, databases, and referral tracking tools.
• Ability to manage multiple referrals simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Problem-solving skills to address access barriers and service delays.
• Understanding of confidentiality and privacy requirements in behavioral health settings.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with electronic health records or referral tracking systems.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check.
• Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License and ability to obtain a Tribal Driver's Permit.

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in behavioral health, healthcare administration, care coordination, or referral management preferred.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in health services, social services, or a related field preferred.
• Prefer Yakama Nation Tribal Members, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.