TRIAGE NAVIGATOR – Full-time, non-exempt, benefited position starting at $15.14 per hour. The days and hours of
this position will be Monday – Friday, daytime hours*.
This position will work at Mercy General Hospital. Applicants must be willing to undergo a physical, a drug test, and
accept the following vaccinations provided by the hospital: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; PPD (TB Test); Measles, Mumps
and Rubella (MMR); Varicella (Chicken Pox); Tdap (Td/Tetanus); and an annual Flu shot.
*Please keep in mind, if hired, it is for the Program and not the shift; therefore, days and hours will vary to meet
the needs of the program, and shifts are subject to change depending on the needs of program.
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the direct supervision of the Program Director, the Triage Navigator is responsible for providing triage,
recovery-focused crisis intervention, support and system navigation services to clients in the Triage Navigator
Program.
The Triage Navigator Program is designed to provide crisis intervention, brief case management, peer support,
system navigation and linkages to services for individuals residing in Sacramento County living with a mental illness
or emotional disturbance and require crisis intervention. Triage Navigators will help address gaps in crisis response
services and to better meet the needs of those experiencing a mental health crisis in the least restrictive manner
possible. The goals of this program are to improve the client’s experience in achieving wellness and recovery,
provide timely access to needed services, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, inpatient days and recidivism, and
mitigate unnecessary expenditures of law enforcement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: (Representative List Only)
 When needed, conduct a basic assessment of individuals in the community and local shelters to determine the
need for triage and system navigation services.
 Work individually with each client, connecting the client to services and supports that can best meet the client’s
specific needs.
 Observe, assess and refer (within one’s scope of practice) in situations with clients regarding acute mental health
symptoms (e.g., suicidality, gravely disabled and homicidality), as well as acute and chronic physical health issues.
 When appropriate, intervene in crisis and emergency situations, working overtime as needed and approved.
 Provide support to clients, including but not limited to, basic assessments, recovery-focused crisis intervention,
brief therapeutic interventions, case management services (which may include monitoring the client’s progress
and coordination of placement services), service plan development and discharge planning.
 Access Sacramento County’s Avatar System to determine if the individual being assessed for services is linked to
the County Mental Health Plan.
 If linked to the County Mental Health Plan, work collaboratively with the individual’s existing mental health
provider to develop/provide input into a service plan and triage the individual for services.
 For individuals not linked to the County Mental Health Plan, work collaboratively with Sacramento County’s
Centralized Access Team to connect the individual to a new provider.
 Evaluate clients for appropriateness of referral to homeless programs and shelters.
 Refer qualified clients to The Guest House or other mental health services as needed and appropriate.
 Research, refer to and when appropriate, advocate for, needed community resources for individuals.
 Work collaboratively with individuals at Loaves & Fishes, hospital Emergency Departments and Sacramento
County’s Intake Stabilization Unit (ISU) to help identify individuals who may not be linked to services.
 Work collaboratively with other service providers (i.e., shelter, food, medical, etc.) to assist in developing a
service plan that best meets the needs of the individual.
 Link and consult with community agencies and persons involved in client’s life via telephone and face-to-face
contacts as necessary to obtain needed information.
 Provide evaluation follow-up (phone or face-to-face) for a minimum of two weeks to all clients who were seen
and linked to services.
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Before closing each case, ensure evaluation follow-up contact (face-to-face or by phone) is made to the client 90
days after the last contact to determine his/her progress.
If, during the 90 day contact, the client is still in need, determine whether additional services should be put in
place. Consult with the Team Leader when appropriate.
Maintain a daily Contact Log of all individuals who were seen or who called for services.
Complete and submit to the Program Director a weekly Activity Form detailing all services provided to/for each
individual seen.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The
requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
 Must meet the qualifications of a Mental Health Assistant III (MHA III). Individual must
have:
o A minimum of four (4) years of full-time equivalent (FTE) direct care experience in the mental health field
providing mental health services; OR
o Two (2) years of FTE direct care experience in a mental health related field providing mental health services
and two years of education (60 semester or 90 quarter units) with a minimum of 12 semesters (18 quarter
units) in a mental health related subject such as child development, social work, human behavior,
rehabilitation, psychology or alcohol and drug counseling; OR
o Two (2) years FTE direct care experience in a mental health related field providing direct mental health
services and a certificate of completion from the County Core Skills Training.
(FTE experience may be direct services provided in a mental health setting in the field of: Physical Restoration,
Psychology, Social Adjustment, Vocational Adjustment.)
 Demonstrated knowledge of Sacramento community organizations and community resources.
 Demonstrated knowledge of effective procedures for obtaining housing and subsidies.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
 Ability to listen reflectively and compassionately.
 Ability to assess emergency situations and provide crisis intervention.
 Ability to interview, assess service needs, and make an appropriate emergency plan for hard-to-reach
psychiatrically disabled individuals.
 Ability to communicate and interact with individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as
individuals who have acute and/or chronic physical health issues.
 Ability to coordinate and advocate for services and resources for psychiatrically-disabled individuals.
 Ability to interview, screen and place clients in living situations.
 Ability to pass clearance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and/or Department of Justice (DOJ)
background screenings.
 Must be willing to undergo a physical, a drug test, and accept vaccinations provided by the hospital.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
 Provide own automobile, possess a valid California Driver’s License and have adequate vehicle insurance as
required by California state law.
 3 or more years of driving experience.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
 Demonstrated ability to read, analyze and understand directions and documentation in English.
 Excellent English verbal and written communication skills.
 Demonstrated abilities in effective communications to include writing and maintaining clear and accurate case
notes and reports, rehabilitation planning, statistical reporting and evaluation.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
 Must be computer literate with experience in word-processing, email and the internet. Microsoft Office
experience preferred.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
 Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) Certification is highly desirable. MHRS Certification requirements
are:
o Master’s Degree or PhD and two years of full time equivalent (FTE) direct care experience in a mental
health setting; OR
o Bachelor’s Degree and four years of FTE direct care experience in a mental health setting; OR
o Associate of Arts Degree and six years of FTE direct care experience in a mental health setting. At least
two of the six years must be post AA degree in a mental health setting.
 Mental health crisis intervention experience.
 Work experience with persons who have substance abuse problems, preferably individuals who are dually diagnosed
(mental health & substance abuse).
 Knowledge of 12-Step Programs and/or personal experience with substance abuse recovery.
 Knowledge of General Assistance, Food Stamps, Unemployment Insurance, and SSI/SSDI regulations.
 Knowledge of, and/or experience working with, Sacramento County’s Avatar forms and system.
 Bilingual or multi-lingual skills.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is frequently required to:
 Stand, walk, sit, bend and maneuver stairs.
 Speak, listen and observe.
 Use close, distance, color and peripheral vision, as well as depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
 Use fingers and hands, including handling, feeling, reaching, driving, writing and computer usage.
 Move about in a variety of properties, areas and environments.
 Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
 Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
FINAL FILING DATE: Until Filled
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to:
TLCS, Inc.
Human Resources Dept.
650 Howe Avenue, Building 400-A
Sacramento, CA 95825
FAX: (916) 441-6893
TLCS offers a great benefit package as well as a 5% increase in salary upon successful completion of initial 6 months
of employment.
TLCS is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Our agency embraces a diverse & culturally rich
workforce, and we welcome all candidates to apply. EOE
If e-mailing your resume, please submit in MSWord, HTML or PDF format.
NOTE: If you are selected for an interview, you will hear from the Hiring Manager by telephone or e-mail (if
applicable). Please be patient while your resume is being processed, and we ask that you do not contact the Human
Resources Department to ask about the status.