Study Navigator

Position Summary:

The Study Navigator is part of the Healthy Baby and Child Development (HBCD) research study team at the Education and Brain Sciences Research Lab (EBRL) in the Department of Special Education. The Study Navigator is a key individual contributor and active member of a multi-disciplinary team that provides support services to participants in the (HBCD) study, with particular attention to participants struggling with or in recovery from substance use problems. The Study Navigator is a full-time on-campus/in-person position whose primary responsibility is to provide participants with individualized, ongoing support to help complete study requirements, including promoting engagement, improving retention, and assisting throughout the participant’s recovery process. #VUrecruitIND

Note: work hours are based on research participant appointments which are scheduled at all times of day, including morning, afternoon, late afternoon, evening, and/or weekends.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Attend prenatal and postnatal participant research study visits (occurring at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health Main Campus and One Hundred Oaks facilities) to identify participants in need of study navigator support services and to develop and maintain relationships with participants. 

• Develop a participant advocate relationship through sharing of similar lived experience, that will support and help guide the participant through study requirements. 

• Promote participant retention by maintaining regular contact, addressing barriers to participation, and coordinating follow-up and connecting to resources as needed.

• Develop and cultivate relationships and maintain an active presence with community partners and organizations. Develop formal and informal community supports available to participants based on their identified needs. 

• Maintain an accurate and updated resource list for distribution to participants.

• Identify community resources pertinent to each identified participant’s needs and assist in navigating the use of those resources. 

• Coordinating donation resources, including procuring and organizing donations, as well as distributing donations to participants.

• Maintain clear documentation of participant interactions, referrals, and follow-up activities.

• Collaborate with the study team by communicating relevant participant information, needs, barriers, etc. 

• Participate in staff trainings, development, team meetings and research discussions.

• Serve on designated committees within the study when appropriate.

• Recognize and appropriately escalate safety concerns according to protocols.

• Observe all rules of confidentiality relating to clinical information and treatment, both internally and when dealing with external agencies and/or individuals. 

• Assist with other study-related responsibilities, at request.

• Maintain professional standards at all times.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the study’s research coordinator. 

Education and Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED degree is required.

• Certification from state agency in peer support for substance use disorders is required. Willing to consider candidates currently in the process of obtaining certification. 

Experience

• Lived experience with a substance use disorder and currently in sustained recovery is required.

• History of work as state certified peer support specialist or certified recovery coach for substance use disorder recovery is strongly preferred.

• Past experience working directly with people in a service-oriented field is preferred.

Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively in team environments to achieve common goals is required.

• Strong time management, relationship-building, and communication skills, including active listening and compliance with trauma-informed care best practices is required.

• Understanding of and commitment to recovery principles, harm reduction, and community-based resources is required.

• Familiarity with or comfortability to learn computer programs such as Microsoft Office (including Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams), Zoom, and basic data management platforms is required.