Kinship Navigator (69721)

Variety Care; Norman (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

NorthCare seeks an advocate to support kinship foster families referred by Oklahoma Human Services. The role links families to community resources, facilitates access, and strengthens ties with state agencies to support placement stability.

Supervised by Program Manager, this full-time position requires flexibility, travel within Oklahoma County, and adherence to confidentiality and training requirements. Evening/weekend availability may be necessary.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse community members and stakeholders.
• Flexible and efficient in a community-based setting and fieldwork.
• Ability to collaborate and maintain productive relationships with families, OKDHS staff, and NorthCare partners.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for kinship foster families and link them with community resources.
• Maintain positive relationships with OKDHS personnel and NorthCare staff.
• Provide services in homes and in the community, including telehealth as needed.
• Maintain clinical records timely and ensure documentation meets policy and accreditation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal & written communication

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

MS 365 proficiency

Job description

Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Hours: Flexible 40 hour week, Includes evenings and weekend hours, schedule may vary.
Location: Clinton
Program: Family Kinnections

Definition

Advocate and provide support for kinship foster families referred to NorthCare by Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) by linking these families with community resources, facilitating the ability to utilize these resources, and fostering relationships between the family and state agencies and other public and private agencies in an effort to maintain the placement and permanency for the child in kinship foster family home.

Supervision

Position is supervised by Program Manager.

Essential Job Functions Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Work with kinship foster family to identify needs of the family, including all household members, to determine what services and programs are available, and assist with advocating.
• Facilitates and maintains positive working relationships with OKDHS personnel including management and leadership.
• Work with the kinship foster family in problem-solving to assist with stability.
• Promotes a warm and engaging organizational culture in line with NorthCare values, trauma informed care, and health and wellness.
• Collect data for evaluation and research of program effectiveness.
• Demonstrates knowledge and expertise about resources in community and serves as a liaison between OKDHS and NorthCare services within Oklahoma County.
• Transport clients to various locations in the community and provide services in the home.
• Maintain clinical records in a timely manner, as required by agency policy, funding sources and accreditation authorities. Complete all required forms and maintain same in a manner consistent with requirements.
• Maintain professional competency in the area under one’s responsibility through appropriate readings, attendance at workshops and trainings. Comply with all requirements to maintain professional certification(s). Knowledgeable regarding: NorthCare's electronic record system and public folders; contract requirements, and benchmarks.
• Abides by the agency’s policy on confidentiality and, at all times, respects the integrity and confidentiality of persons receiving services.
• Will meet with kinship foster families at a frequency that is determined based offof case needs and contractual requirements, to include home visits, telehealth and/or phone calls with the family.
• Return phone calls and cell text promptly. Check and respond to email daily.
• Maintain consistent work attendance and contact supervisor on timely basis for needed late arrivals or absences. Meet dress code expectations.
• Complete all NorthCare required courses and training and comply with all agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to confidentiality requirements, documentation deadlines and productivity expectations.
• Performs any reasonable work requested that falls within the qualifications but not specifically described in work performed.

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate/employee must have a Bachelors Degree in Social Work or related field, and preferably a minimum of one (1) year experience in a related field, and/or a Master's Degree in a closely related field.
• This position provides community based services. A community setting is defined as any non-designated NorthCare Office.
  • Community-based staff may be expected to provide services in a multitude of community settings, including but not limited to, a client’s home, in the community at a local venue or agency, outside in a confidential space, via telehealth or in the office.
  • Staff who are considered community based may have limited access to onsite supervision and are expected to use critical thinking skills to ensure appropriate staffing of situations as they present.
  • Staff who are community based are expected to travel to and from appointments and are required to have "business purposes" added to their auto insurance.
  • Community based staff should have access to an internet hotspot to access technology while in the field. They are eligible for a phone and hotspot stipend.
  • Community-based staff are considered essential workers and may be expected to work holidays/weekends/or during closures if required by their program.
• This position requires a high degree of flexibility and efficiency.
• Must display proficiency in the MS 365 applications including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook, processing software, and have intermediate general computer skills.
• Must demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with diverse community members, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Must display the ability to work collaboratively and maintain productive relationships with the community, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, use stairs, and move about facilities and community freely. Casual professional dress is required with adherence to dress code requirements.
• Must have access to reliable transportation. In state travel is required. Must possess and provide verification of valid Oklahoma driver's license during employment with NorthCare. Must maintain and provide verification of current automobile liability insurance including uninsured motorist coverage.
• Due to the nature of the contract, candidates & employees must report to NorthCare any current or prior confirmed record of child abuse as an adult. Any such confirmed record must be reviewed by the NorthCare Executive Team for hiring approval, or for current employees, continued employment with NorthCare.
• Must complete all NorthCare required training within 30 days of employment with NorthCare. Must have TB test within 12 months prior to employment with NorthCare or obtain within 30 days of employment with NorthCare.

Every NorthCare employee is responsibility for adhering to any and all laws, professional standards and ethical codes that apply to his/her job responsibilities.