Acadia Healthcare

Outpatient Navigator

Job Locations US-TN-Knoxville
Job ID
2025-76424
Category
Direct Patient Care
Department Number
### FACILITY

Overview

*Grant Funded Position*

 

PURPOSE STATEMENT: 

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. This role ensures timely, informed referrals; facilitates coordination among inpatient and outpatient departments; and provides education and support to patients and families regarding post-discharge services. With a deep understanding of levels of care, discharge workflows, and what differentiates Acadia’s outpatient programs, the Outpatient Navigator plays a vital role in increasing step-down engagement, reducing readmissions, and strengthening care transitions. The Outpatient Navigator may also help facilitate direct admissions to PHP/IOP programs.  

Responsibilities

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Patient Engagement and Referral Coordination 

  • Own the full stepdown process—from patient identification to program admission 
  • Meet every eligible inpatient and review open direct admission inquiries to facilitate referrals to outpatient  
  • Educate patients and families on the value of continued care post-discharge and highlights of the hospital’s program (specialized tracks, support to address barriers to access such as transportation, etc.)  
  • 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  

 

Internal Team Collaboration and Communication  

  • 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 
  • Participate in daily flash meetings to review emerging stepdown candidates, rationale for discharges not stepped down, and report out on day one PHP/IOP attendance for prior day’s step-downs  

 

Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement  

  • Track step-down admissions and conversion rate and trends over time  
  • Identify barriers/opportunities to further enhance patient engagement and reduce readmissions  
  • Report weekly progress to facility CEO, COO, and Director of Outpatient Services  

 

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: 

Required  

  • High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in social services-related field strongly preferred.   
  • Minimum of 2 years in behavioral healthcare setting (e.g., acute psychiatric hospital)  

Preferred  

  • Licensed or license-eligible clinician (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMHC, LMFT) 
  • Peer support specialist certification 
  • Experience with PHP and IOP levels of care, discharge planning, and/or utilization review  

 

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.

 

 

#LI-SW1

AHMKT

 

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