Care Navigation Specialist, IOP

We are looking for a Care Navigation Specialist with expertise in intensive outpatient care (IOP) to support patients through intake, enrollment, and transitions across multiple levels of behavioral health care. This role is central in helping high-risk individuals and those with co-occurring conditions engage in the right treatment at the right time.

The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, is energized by working cross-functionally, and is passionate about supporting vulnerable populations through complex care journeys. You’ll serve as a key connector across patients, providers, and internal teams — ensuring safe, seamless, and compassionate transitions between outpatient, IOP, PHP, residential, and inpatient care.

What You’ll Do as a Care Navigation Specialist, IOP

Referral Support & Onboarding

• Organize and prioritize referrals for IOP and other higher levels of care.
• Engage referred members through outreach to provide education on treatment options, coverage, and enrollment steps.
• Facilitate intake and enrollment processes for IOP and OP behavioral health programs.
• Assess appropriateness of fit for Brightside’s services and coordinate warm handoffs to partners when external care is required.
• Maintain communication with external referrers, clinical leaders, and provider offices to foster loop closure and continuity of care.

Care Navigation & Transitions

• Support members during clinically driven transitions between levels of care (outpatient ⇄ IOP ⇄ inpatient).
• Collaborate closely with clinical staff and multidisciplinary teams to ensure care transitions align with treatment recommendations.
• Provide education and reassurance to patients and families navigating higher-acuity treatment.
• Proactively address barriers to care — such as insurance, technology, and scheduling — to support engagement.
• Manage operational workflows that ensure care plan changes and escalations are completed safely and on time.
• Track and report on care transitions to support quality improvement initiatives.

Requirements:

• 2+ years’ experience in a healthcare setting, with a strong preference for behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, or IOP/PHP/inpatient settings.
• Availability to work a consistent schedule of 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST), Monday through Friday.
• Direct experience working with high-risk mental health populations, including co-occurring SUD.
• Strong understanding of the behavioral health continuum of care (outpatient, IOP, PHP, residential, inpatient).
• Demonstrated success in patient-facing roles involving intake, enrollment, or care coordination.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with clinical leaders, providers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• BA/BS degree preferred.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Flexible time off
• Fully paid comprehensive health care (medical, dental, vision)
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance & Short/Long-Term Disability
• 401k Plan
• Work remotely
• Additional memberships and perks

Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise. If you have questions on compensation bands, please ask your recruiter.

Brightside Health is committed to equal employment opportunities for all team members. Every decision we make regarding employment is solely based on merit, competence, and performance. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We realize the full promise of diversity and want you to bring your whole self to work every single day.

Research shows that minority groups typically apply only if they meet 100% of the criteria listed. At Brightside, we are dedicated to fair play and encourage women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ job seekers to apply for positions even if they don’t check every box for the role.