Psychiatric Discharge Care Navigator at Appalachian Regional Healthcare

Overview The Psych Discharge Care Navigator ensures timely and comprehensive access to psychiatric medicationsfor patients transitioning from inpatient, outpatient, or crisis-level care. This role specializes in priorauthorizations, medication access program navigation, and coordinating follow-up care for patientsprescribed long-acting injectable (LAI) therapies. The specialist works closely with pharmacy, behavioralhealth, and care management teams to reduce treatment gaps and improve continuity of care. Responsibilities Serve as the primary expert on psychiatric medication access, including prior authorizations, psych statebilling, step therapy processes, appeals, and manufacturer assistance programs; Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of manufacturer indigent drug programs, behavioral health medicationaccess criteria, and required clinical documentation; Identifies appropriate follow‑up care for patients receiving LAI antipsychotic therapies, includingscheduling next‑dose appointments, verifying site-of-care availability, and ensuring medicationprocurement through insurance or assistance programs; Make structured follow‑up contacts to recently discharged psychiatric patients to verify medicationpick‑up, prior authorization status, LAI follow‑up adherence, and access barriers; Work collaboratively with care providers to coordinate and plan the access to care for patients across theARH continuum; Collaborate with behavioral health providers, discharge planners, and care managers to ensure medicationplans are fully accessible prior to patient discharge; Coordinate with local pharmacy and behavioral health teams to ensure seamless prescription processing,refills, and delivery when appropriate; Assist patients and caregivers with navigating behavioral health medication costs, payment requirements,and access programs. Assist patients in processing payment requirement; Assist in the completion of paperwork for medication access programs; Maintains records and statistics for the purpose of evaluation and program analysis; Investigates and analyzes critical operational situations and provides directions for the resolution ofproblems; Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.Must be a registered pharmacy technician.At least 3 years of experience or an Associate’s Degree