Social Work Navigator – Neurodevelopmental Services

Mercy Kids Center for Neurodevelopment
Location: Mercy Kids Center for Neurodevelopment
Schedule: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week

Mercy Kids Center for Neurodevelopment is seeking a compassionate and experienced Social Work Navigator to serve as a key resource for children and families accessing neurodevelopmental and pediatric specialty services. This role provides guidance, support, and care coordination throughout the patient journey, helping families navigate evaluations, diagnoses, therapies, behavioral health services, and community resources.

The Social Work Navigator partners closely with physicians, psychologists, therapists, nurse practitioners, and community providers to ensure timely access to care and a seamless experience for patients and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for children and families seeking neurodevelopmental and pediatric specialty services.
• Support intake, triage, assessment, and referral processes across therapy services, developmental evaluations, autism programs, NICU Follow-Up, behavioral health, and ABA services.
• Provide ongoing care coordination and follow-up after evaluations, diagnoses, and program enrollment.
• Educate and counsel families regarding diagnoses, treatment recommendations, therapy options, and available support services.
• Advocate for patients and families, encouraging active participation in care planning and treatment decisions.
• Conduct care management activities including needs assessments, psychosocial screenings, family counseling, and resource coordination.
• Identify and connect families with community resources, early intervention programs, school-based services, behavioral health supports, and therapy providers.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address developmental, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.
• Intervene and escalate concerns involving patient safety, abuse, neglect, or other high-risk situations as appropriate.
• Maintain strong partnerships with internal departments and external community organizations to promote continuity of care.
• Document assessments, care plans, referrals, and patient interactions accurately within the electronic medical record.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case reviews, team meetings, and care planning discussions.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives focused on patient experience, care access, and service delivery.
• Maintain current knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions, pediatric services, and community resources through ongoing professional development.
• Follow all patient confidentiality, infection prevention, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, or
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, or
• Doctorate in a related field

Licensure

Current licensure in the state of practice as one of the following:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Licensed Psychologist (PsyD)

Experience

• Three years of pediatric care management or care coordination experience.
• Experience working with children and families in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and therapists.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.
• Knowledge of community resources and support programs for children with developmental disabilities.
• Experience working with children who have co-occurring developmental, behavioral, and mental health conditions.

Skills & Competencies

Family Advocacy & Communication

• Demonstrates empathy, strong interpersonal skills, and a family-centered approach.
• Effectively engages families in care planning and treatment decisions.
• Serves as a trusted advocate for children and caregivers.

Care Coordination & Resource Navigation

• Skilled in assessment, care management, referral coordination, and intervention planning.
• Knowledgeable about early intervention programs, school-based services, community agencies, and behavioral health resources.
• Familiar with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services and Individualized Education Program (IEP) advocacy.

Professional Practice

• Maintains confidentiality and adheres to all regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Exercises sound clinical judgment and ethical decision-making.
• Demonstrates attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Proficient in electronic medical records and Microsoft Office applications.

Why Join Mercy?

At Mercy Kids Center for Neurodevelopment, you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families by helping them access the services, support, and resources needed to thrive. Join a collaborative team dedicated to providing compassionate, family-centered care across every stage of a child's developmental journey.