School-Based Navigator

Centerstone; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible Spending and HSA

403b retirement plan with companymatch

Paid time off & 10 paid holidays

AD&D, Life & LT Disability (company)

Employee Resource Groups

Continuing education opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Centerstone seeks a School Based Navigator to coordinate access to behavioral health services for students, assist with intake and insurance processes, and collaborate with schools, families, and community partners to ensure continuity of care.

The role emphasizes adherence to privacy standards, regulatory compliance, and a trauma-informed, person-centered approach within a nonprofit behavioral health system.

Qualifications

• Understanding of mental health systems and school-based service delivery.
• Ability to navigate intake and documentation processes with accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process student referrals within three business days.
• Assist families with Medicaid eligibility screening and verify insurance benefits.

Skills

Mental health knowledge

School-based service models

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Electronic records

Telephonic engagement

Coordination of services

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings.

Centerstone, a trauma-informed organization, endorses an organizational culture built on understanding, recognizing and responding to those affected by trauma to strengthen resilience for our clients, staff and community.

Job Description

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 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

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

• High School diploma or GED required.

Supervisory Requirements

N/A

Employment Requirements

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint check.
• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
• All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.

Physical Requirements

ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (exists up the 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Time Type

Full time

Pay Range

$15.75--$22.00

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• 403b retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off and ten paid holidays
• AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)
• Employee Resource Groups
• Continuing education opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program

Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.

At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture.

Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve.

Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.