Mental Health Navigator
Looking for meaningful clinical work without the pressures of private practice?
University Counseling Service (UCS) staff enjoy comprehensive benefits, and reliable income not tied to monthly caseload fluctuations, as well as no after-hours or on-call demands. With opportunities for meaningful cross-campus collaboration and a focus on serving students first and foremost, UCS is an ideal setting for psychologists and therapists seeking both professional purpose and personal balance. You’ll support students during a pivotal stage of their development and have the opportunity to make a lasting impact through counseling, consultation, outreach and preventative work. There are also opportunities to shape the next generation of clinicians through supervision and mentorship in our training programs, simultaneously enriching your own professional practice.
Iowa City is the largest city in Johnson County, Iowa, and the home of the University of Iowa, known for its vibrant downtown, historic landmarks like the Old Capitol Building, and lively cultural scene. It’s also the fifth-largest city in Iowa, with a population of about 76,000, and serves as a hub for education, arts, and community life. This dynamic community creates an inspiring environment where the U of I plays a central role in shaping student experiences and community life. Joining UCS in the U of I’s Division of Student Life offers a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant campus community that supports student success, training, wellness, and engagement.
About this Position
The Mental Health Navigator provides psychological services to assist the student body in attaining their educational, interpersonal, and academic goals. Psychological services include case management and care coordination; referral; managing insurance and referral databases; managing external referral relations; individual assessment and counseling; psycho-educational outreach programming and consultation to students, staff, faculty, administrators, and parents/families; supervision and training to graduate students in the mental health professions; and engage in maintenance of records.
Specific Job Duties & Tasks
Provide case management and referral services to support students in accessing appropriate mental health care.
Deliver care coordination and bridging support for students with acute, complex, or ongoing mental health concerns.
Conduct diagnostic and psychosocial assessments, including crisis assessment and intervention.
Support clinicians during psychiatric hospitalization processes and provide post‑hospitalization follow‑up and referrals.
Maintain accurate, timely electronic mental health records in Titanium or similar EHR systems.
Collaborate with campus partners (UIHC, Care Team, Student Health, EIT, Academic Support & Retention) to coordinate student care.
Develop and maintain relationships with external providers, including hospitals, private practitioners, and insurance partners.
Provide outreach, workshops, and psycho‑educational programming for students, faculty, staff, and families.
Offer supervision, training, and coaching to graduate trainees and junior staff in case management, communication, and clinical competencies.
Contribute to policy development, quality improvement, and clinical standards within the counseling center.
Support communication and collaboration across teams, modeling effective interpersonal and conflict‑management skills.
Participate in research, program evaluation, or grant activities related to mental health services, as interest and agency needs allow.
For a detailed job description, please email Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu
About the Division of Student Life
The Division of Student Life is comprised of staff that embrace new ideas and thoughts, works together to keep our students safe, and provides them with life-changing experiences. The Division of Student Life includes 15 departments that span from Recreational Services to the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement and everything in between. We believe in working together as one team to achieve our mission: fostering student success by creating and promoting educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom.
Required Qualifications & Skills
Master’s degree in social work with clinical focus from a CSWE-Accredited program, or master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP-Accredited Program.
Social Worker: Licensed as an LISW in the State of Iowa by date of hire. Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor: Licensed as an LISW or LMHC in the State of Iowa by date of hire.
Possession of a valid independent State of Iowa license as a social worker or mental health counselor at time of hire. License must be maintained as a condition of continued employment
Extensive knowledge of evidence and theory based mental health case management, supportive referrals, crisis assessment, and intervention, and diagnostic and psychosocial assessment.
Extensive proficiency in planning and delivering outreach programs and consultation services.
Working knowledge of providing supervision to trainees.
Extensive proficiency in the application of communication techniques and relationship building skills that develop the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Extensive proficiency in collaborating and interacting with individuals and groups while valuing the unique contribution of individuals.
Working proficiency with office support tools and electronic medical records software (e.g., word processing, email, presentation software and spreadsheets, electronic health records); preferably Microsoft Office and Titanium EHR.
Desired Qualifications
Working proficiency in empirically validated treatment modalities.
Working proficiency with serious and complex mental health concerns and with mental health crises.
Knowledge and experience with infusing technology into the delivery of mental health services.
Interest and/or experience in counseling center research.
Knowledge of local mental health providers and systems.
Experience with campus mental health.
Application Details
To be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship in the United States. For questions or additional information, please contact Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
