School-Based Navigator (Hybrid | Quincy,IL)

Job Description:

Job Summary:

The School Based Navigator (SBN) serves as a critical liaison among schools, families, and the organization. This role facilitates access to behavioral health services for students, supports the intake and insurance process, and promotes service continuity through collaboration with internal teams and community partners. The SBN ensures that all activities are conducted in alignment with regulatory standards, person-centered practices, and the organization’s mission.

Essential Job Functions:

Receive and Process Referrals

Accept and respond to student referrals from assigned schools within three business days, initiating family contact and documentation.

Insurance and Funding Support

Assist families in Medicaid eligibility screening and application; verify private insurance benefits and screen for alternative funding as needed.

Coordinate Service Entry

Schedule intake appointments with school-based therapists or refer to appropriate access points if a student is not eligible for school-based services.

Manage Intake Documentation

Ensure completion, accuracy, and proper electronic filing of all intake and compliance documentation per operational standards.

Support Compliance Tasks

Collaborate with teams such as Billing, Health Information Management (HIM), and Quality to complete non-billable regulatory tasks and timelines.

Provide Administrative Support

Answer incoming calls, make and document non-billable calls on behalf of school-based staff, and maintain accurate clinical records.

Maintain Service Continuity

Conduct ongoing insurance checks and support paperwork updates to maintain eligibility and access to care throughout treatment.

Resource and Crisis Linkage

Partners with schools and community agencies to connect families with appropriate support, including crisis services when indicated.

Adhere to Ethical and Privacy Standards

Follow organization’s privacy, confidentiality, and security policies always and practice within professional ethics, when applicable.

Support Program Operations

Function within Organization’s Operational Guidelines and contribute to program quality through routine self-evaluation and adherence to CARF-aligned standards.

Engage in Professional Development

Participate in required training, team meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service quality and coordination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of mental health systems and school-based service models.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

• Proficiency in documentation, electronic records, and telephonic engagement.

• Knowledge of community resources and ability to coordinate support services.

Experience and Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related human services field preferred; High school diploma with relevant experience considered.

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.