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Veteran Care Coordinator

Heritage Behavioral Health Center
United States, Illinois, Decatur
Po Box 710 (Show on map)
Jul 10, 2025
Heritage is seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual for a full-time Veterans Care Coordinator position. This role involves working closely with veterans to navigate multiple service agencies and enhance collaboration to ensure their needs are met. As the primary coordinator, you will manage the day-to-day supportive program operations for veterans from entry to discharge. This position also focuses on fostering mental health, recovery, and wellbeing among veterans. Position Overview: The Care Coordinator - Veteran Support plays a vital role in ensuring individuals accessing behavioral health services receive seamless, comprehensive, and ongoing support. This position is responsible for tracking clients from their initial engagement in services through successful connection to all recommended treatments, ensuring continuity of care and improved outcomes. This position has a specific focus on supporting individuals who have served in the military. The Care Coordinator will work closely with Veterans to navigate the behavioral health system, coordinate care across providers, and access specialized supports available to Veterans. A strong understanding of military culture, Veterans' unique needs, and community-based Veteran resources is essential to success in this role. Responsibilities Include: * Serve as the primary point of contact for Veteran clients following their initial engagement in behavioral health services. * Ensure Veteran clients are connected to recommended services including mental health treatment, primary care, VA or VA-affiliated services, specialty care, and community-based supports. * Assist Veterans in navigating both VA and non-VA systems of care and benefits. * Conduct proactive follow-up to monitor progress, identify barriers to care, and provide individualized support tailored to Veterans' unique experiences and challenges. * Collaborate with internal teams, community partners, VA representatives, Veteran peer support specialists, and other agencies to ensure coordinated care. * Educate clients and their families on available resources, the importance of care continuity, and how to access benefits related to military service. * Maintain accurate and timely documentation in electronic health records, including service engagement and treatment adherence. * Advocate for Veteran clients by identifying gaps in care, facilitating communication among providers, and addressing obstacles to service access. * Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and case consultations to ensure holistic care delivery. * Stay current on trends and resources specific to Veterans, including VA updates, peer services, housing, employment, and legal supports. * Attend training and staff development opportunities with a focus on Veteran-specific needs and cultural competence. * Complete all required documentation and tracking in a timely and accurate manner. * Perform other duties as assigned or negotiated with supervisor. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge: * Military culture and the unique behavioral health needs of Veterans. * Behavioral health, substance use, and primary care systems. * Principles of care coordination, client advocacy, and trauma-informed care. * Veteran-specific resources, including VA services, housing, legal aid, employment, and benefits navigation. * HIPAA regulations and ethical standards. * Crisis response and intervention strategies. Skills: * Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in building trust with Veterans. * Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking. * Efficient time management and organizational skills to manage a caseload with competing priorities. * Technological proficiency, including electronic health records and Microsoft Office. * High attention to detail in data tracking and documentation. * Ability to advocate for and empower clients navigating complex healthcare systems. Abilities: * Deep empathy and respect for individuals with lived experience, including trauma related to military service. * Adaptability to evolving client needs and healthcare systems. * Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including Veteran-serving agencies. * Culturally competent, person-centered, and strengths-based approach to care. * Capacity to work independently while staying connected with the broader team. * Ability to lift 10 pounds. Education and Experience: The ideal candidate will have experience working directly with Veteran populations, providing care coordination or case management, and collaborating with both community-based and VA services. Ideal candidate will have lived experience as a veteran who has navigated services for veterans. Eligible Credentials: * Mental Health Professional as defined by: o Five years' experience in behavioral health, o Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), o Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, human services, or related field, o Bachelor's degree in any field with two years of experience in a human services or related field. A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance are required.