Veteran Care Navigator - SSG Fox Suicide Prevention

Centerstone; West Frankfort (IL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

403b retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Centerstone is seeking a Veteran Care Navigator to provide in-person peer support to Veterans under a suicide prevention grant. You will promote access to behavioral health services, coordinate care, and engage partners to improve outcomes.

The role requires trauma-informed, person-centered approaches and strong documentation practices to meet grant requirements and program goals.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's preferred.
• Military veteran status required; one year in behavioral health preferred.
• Ability to document accurately and follow grant-specific procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide veteran peer support and suicide prevention services.
• Engage Veterans and families to access behavioral health and related services.
• Represent Centerstone to stakeholders and grant funders.
• Deliver community education on suicide prevention and veteran health.
• Maintain timely documentation per policy and grant requirements.
• Coordinate care with internal teams and community partners.
• Perform targeted case management and referrals using shared decision-making.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Military culture knowledge

Veteran services knowledge

Rapport building

Customer service

Teamwork

Organization

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma

GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

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. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!

Job Description

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Veteran Care Navigator (VCN) provides in-person veteran peer support services to Veterans and members of the Armed Services under the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. This position focuses on suicide prevention, care coordination, and facilitation of access to behavioral healthcare and supportive services. The VCN engages Veterans, families, and community partners to promote connection to services and reduce barriers to care.

The Veteran Care Navigator ensures services are delivered in compliance with applicable grant requirements, organizational policies, and state and federal regulations, including timely and accurate documentation. The VCN works collaboratively with internal teams, leadership, and community-based partners to support Veteran engagement, continuity of care, and positive service outcomes. Services are provided using trauma-informed, person-centered, recovery-oriented, and shared decision-making approaches.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides Veteran peer support and suicide prevention-focused services in accordance with established standards, program expectations, and SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant requirements.
• Conducts outreach, engagement, and follow-up with Veterans and eligible family members to promote access to behavioral health and suicide prevention services.
• Represents Centerstone to internal and external stakeholders, including grant funders, Veteran-serving organizations, and community partners, and supports relationship-building efforts to meet grant objectives.
• Provides community education and consultation related to suicide prevention, Veteran mental health, and available grant-funded services.
• Supports program operations to ensure all grant deliverables and performance measures are completed accurately and within required timeframes.
• Participates in program development activities, process improvement efforts, and implementation of grant-related workflows to ensure compliance and service quality.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete documentation in accordance with organizational policy and grant and regulatory requirements.
• Contributes to the management and maintenance of resource and provider network information, including Veteran-specific and suicide prevention resources.
• Provides targeted case management and referral services using a shared decision-making approach to support individualized care planning.
• Identifies barriers to engagement and utilizes brief, solution-focused emotional support techniques to encourage ongoing participation in services.
• Assesses suicide risk and safety concerns and implements appropriate safety management interventions; initiates referrals and linkages as clinically indicated and remains engaged until safety and stabilization are achieved.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of program goals and organizational mission.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Effectively communicate via written, verbal, in person and virtual methods.
• Knowledge of military culture and the unique needs of Veterans and their families.
• Working knowledge of Veteran-serving organizations, suicide prevention resources, and community-based supports.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families, and community partners.
• Strong customer service skills and professional communication practices.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including time management, prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to problem-solve, exercise sound judgment, and respond effectively in high-risk or crisis situations.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work in community-based settings and attend in-person meetings as required.

Qualifications

Education Level

High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Years Of Experience

Military veteran status required. Must have one year experience in behavioral health field.

Certification/Licensure

N/A

Physical Requirements

• Standing - 20%
• Sitting - 80%
• Squatting - Occasional
• Kneeling - Occasional
• Bending - Occasional
• Driving - Occasional
• Lifting - Occasional

DISCLAIMER

The duties and responsibilities described in this document are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time, or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Time Type

Full time

Pay Range

$17.35--$24.30

Benefits

Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy:

• 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.