Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Bonus based on performance
• Company car
• Company parties
• Dental insurance
• Free food & snacks
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off

The Substance Use Navigator is responsible for interacting and working with the health care team and with patients in the hospital and Emergency Department to find and transport patients to our outpatient clinic and internal appointments. The role within our clinic requires the SUN to support members who are experiencing OUD/SUD and/or homelessness with managing their OUD/SUD, assisting with motivational behavioral changes in patients to improve OUD/SUD outcomes through education, peer support, housing and resource navigation, and relaying shared experiences.
The successful candidate has experience and knowledge of and is comfortable engaging and working with patients experiencing opioid use disorder and homelessness, as well as those with active mental health and substance abuse conditions where they live on the street. Possesses strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain team and community relationships, work on a multidisciplinary team of providers, nurses, patients and community navigators.

Responsibilities:

• Be an active participant in outreaching and engaging with the unsheltered
• Build rapport with members by communicating personal experiences with the goal of increasing the likelihood of positive behavior changes.
• Coach members to create and implement strategies that minimize risks associated with the identified common health conditions and behaviors.
• Connect members to appropriate programs to address barriers to healthcare and enhance compliance.
• Acts as a resource and contact person for patients.
• Identify and build relationships with local resources that are available to patients.
• Complete all required health record documentation in a timely fashion. Examples include but are not limited to the following: enter all patient touch points and notes in the electronic health records and update members plan of care after every encounter.
• Serve as a member advocate ensuring regular member follow-ups and delivering medications and other needed supplies.
• While working with the street medicine team, carry a backpack with outreach and medical supplies during your shift. Backpacks can weigh up to 15lbs and staff share responsibility for carrying the backpack.
• Must be able to stand for up to 4 hours at a time and willing to provide care outside and in the field.

Job Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Addiction Counselor, Certified Addiction Specialist and Drug Counselor, or equivalent.
• Previous training and work in a drug treatment/alcohol treatment facility or clinic.
• One year of recent drug treatment experience.
• Knowledge of community resources within the community to be served
• Able to maintain clear professional boundaries with members and coworkers
• Working knowledge of social and health issues
• Ability to quickly establish trust and build strong relationships
• Highly organized and self-motivated to work independently and manage schedules efficiently
• Sound judgment and the ability to quickly analyze situations
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to problem solve in a proactive, creative manner
• Ability to work independently within a virtual operating environment and as part of a team
• Represent the company with professionalism
• Cultural competency- able to work with diverse groups of community members
• Multi-lingual capabilities are preferred, but not required
• Excellent communication skills
• Technologically knowledgeable or experienced in note-entry systems, smartphones, and laptops
• Experience providing peer support to patients with complex and multiple chronic conditions and challenging social and mental health conditions (e.g. Community Health Worker, Patient Navigator, In-Home Support Specialist, etc.).
• Training or experience in community health, social determinants of health, and peer counseling.
• Understanding of mental illness and addiction and the ability to engage with clients who struggle with these issues at all levels.
• Training and experience in using Motivational Interviewing are strongly preferred
• Strong interpersonal and social skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate with various individuals from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds.
• Knowledge of community-based healthcare and social services systems and the needs of medically underserved populations.
• Ability to work with individuals from varied professional backgrounds and diverse cultures with multiple chronic conditions.
• Ability to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to build credibility and trust with clients/patients.
• Maintains confidentiality and follows HIPAA standards in safeguarding patient information.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Able to operate small office equipment, including photocopier, telephone, and personal computer
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Experience working with people living with addiction desirable.

• Preferred:
  • Two years experience in a drug treatment
  • Associate degree in a healthcare-related field.
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field of substance abuse, crisis management or counseling
  • Outpatient/Inpatient drug treatment experience
  • Recent inpatient hospital experience

Education & Work Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED required
• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Community Health Worker Certificate preferred
• Substance Use Navigator Certification preferred
• Minimum of 2 years experience working in health, social, or community services required
• State-based certification may be required

Physical & Other Requirements:

• Must reside in or be very familiar with the language and culture of the community served. There will be daily travel to local geographic regions and, depending on the region, it may require frequent walking
• The SUN/CHN will need to pass reference and background checks, submit to a drug test, and have a clean driving record

Candidate Must Possess the Following:

• A valid driver's license