Academic Advice, Accredited Business Accountants (ABA), Alliance/Partner Management, Analysis Skills, Autism, Behavioral Health, Community Providers, Community Support, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Detail Oriented, Developmental Disabilities, Early Intervention, Electronic Medical Records, Family Planning, Follow Through, Health Plan, Healthcare, Identify Issues, Interpersonal Skills, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Microsoft Office, Needs Assessment, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Nursing, Patient Assessment, Patient Care, Patient Safety, Pediatrics, People Management, Plan Meetings, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Psychology, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, Registered Nurse (RN), Regulatory Compliance, Risk, Service Delivery, Social Work, Team Player, Time Management, Training/Teaching
Find your calling at Mercy!
The Neurodevelopmental Care Navigator serves as a primary point of contact and resource for children and families accessing neurodevelopmental and pediatric specialty services. This includes programs such as therapy services (PT, OT, Speech), NICU Follow-Up, developmental evaluation, autism services, and behavioral health/ABA.
The Navigator supports families through intake, triage, and care coordination, providing education, counseling, and ongoing follow-up. This role works closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure timely access to services and continuity of care across the patient journey.
Position Details:
Social Work Navigator - Neurodevelopmental Services
Mercy Kids Center for Neurodevelopment
Location: Mercy Kids Center for Neurodevelopment
Schedule: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week
Position Overview
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.
Why Mercy?
From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.
Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.
M
Mercy
Our Mercy health system was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1986. But our heritage goes back more than 185 years. It began with an Irish woman named Catherine McAuley, who wanted to help the poor women and children of Dublin. Though Catherine had a modest upbringing, she received an unexpected inheritance that allowed her to fulfill her dreams. In 1827, she opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin, intending to teach skills to poor women and educate children. Many volunteers came to help. A few years later, Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy, the first religious order not bound to the rules of the cloister, whose Sisters were free to walk among the poor and visit them in their homes. By the time Catherine died in 1841, there were convents in Ireland and England, and in 1843, the Sisters of Mercy came to the United States. In 1871, they traveled to St. Louis and from there throughout the Midwest, beginning what would, today be known as Mercy.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy's IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.