UPMC·Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Behavioral Health Navigator supports the PsychCare+ team by managing patient admissions, scheduling, and triaging for behavioral health services. They are responsible for completing psychiatric documentation, obtaining insurance authorizations, and coordinating care with physicians and outside agencies.
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is hiring a full-time Behavioral Health Navigator I to support the PsychCare+ team!
Psych Care Plus is the admission and outpatient scheduling service for UPMC Behavioral Health Service Line for Western Psychiatric Hospital.
The incumbent will work rotating shifts, including days, evenings, and nights.
Must work 1 weekend shift every other weekend as well as 2 major and 2 minor holidays per year.
This is a hybrid position, with the first couple of months exclusively in-office. *UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE (IF APPLICABLE) TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR APPLICATION*
Meet standards for documentation and completes all required paperwork, including psychiatric evaluation, commitment paperwork. Demonstrate ability to utilize DSMV and to develop provisional diagnosis. Demonstrate knowledge of mental health laws and reviews inpatient commitment for accuracy, competencies and proper time frames. Knowledge of insurance programs, processes and able to obtain authorizations as needed. Participate in interdisciplinary activities such as staff meetings and other committees as assigned. Maintain competency requirements. Learn and utilize up-to-date technology in delivery of patient care for assessment and disposition/referral planning. Efficiently take a sizable volume of calls and disposition callers to meet their needs rapidly Follow outpatient scheduling or referral documentation guidelines Responds rapidly to appointment or inpatient admission requests through email, phone, or voicemailReview and summarizes the patient information for admissions to a behavioral health unit and triaging patient for appropriate placement Ability to verbally present the case to physicians and others Demonstrate triage and assessment skills for medical necessity or appropriate outpatient clinic Provides accurate, timely information to coworkers, physicians, outside agencies, with a professional and courteous manner Demonstrates expertise in accessing social systems by providing resource-specific information to patients and families, initiating contact with appropriate resources and facilitating the patient/family's ability to accept referrals.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC) Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal Act 33 with renewal Act 34 with renewal Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work with at least one year of direct mental health experience, or a Master's degree in a related field. Applicants are required to provide undergraduate and graduate transcripts and must possess various clearances including CPR and CCMC.
Market context
Behavioral health employers in Pennsylvania often seek candidates with direct patient care experience, and roles can be more competitive when applicants also bring phlebotomy certification or experience in crisis, detox, or acute psychiatric settings. This posting requires a high school diploma or GED plus at least one year of patient care experience, and the listed requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description to save you research time. If you’re considering applying, review whether your experience matches the setting and be ready to highlight any behavioral-health or phlebotomy background.