SUMMARY:
The Social Service Navigator is a part-time member of Axess Family Services embedded within the Summa Health Emergency Room. This role provides direct, in-the-moment support to patients presenting with behavioral health needs, social barriers, medical follow-up challenges, or dental-related concerns. The Navigator ensures patients receive coordinated care, resource linkage, and appropriate follow-up support that enhances their overall health outcomes.
SUPERVISOR : Director of Community Impact or Designee DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Patient Engagement & Support Conduct bedside engagement with ER patients identified as needing social, behavioral, medical, or dental navigation.
- Use trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches during interactions.
- Identify social determinants of health affecting patient outcomes.
- Behavioral Health Integration Link patients to crisis services, outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, and substance-use treatment options.
- Coordinate with Axess Family behavioral health providers for follow-up and continuity of care.
- Medical Integration Assist patients with primary care follow-up, specialist scheduling, medication access, and post-discharge planning.
- Collaborate closely with ER nursing, physicians, and case management.
- Dental Integration Identify urgent dental needs and coordinate referrals to community dental resources.
- Provide information on preventive care and access pathways for uninsured/underinsured patients.
- Care Coordination & Documentation Assess eligibility for community programs (housing, food, benefits, transportation, etc.).
- Facilitate warm handoffs to community agencies whenever possible.
- Maintain timely, accurate documentation in designated systems.
- Collaboration Participate in interdisciplinary communication with ER staff and Axess Family Services.
- Maintain strong communication with supervisors regarding case trends and workflow needs.
- The Duties and Responsibilities above represent the most significant duties of this position, but do not exclude other assignments that would be within the qualification and responsibility levels of this position.
