Substance Use Navigator- Full Time- 5-8 hour shifts

Summary of Position 

The Substance Use Navigator (SUN) is a care coordinator and an integral team member of a statewide initiative to improve access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). Navigators conduct initial brief assessments for patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), introduce patients to MOUD programs and services, expedite appointments at MOUD-capable clinics, serve as the primary coach for their clients, and maintain ongoing contact with their panel. They also assist with access to other services such as financial counseling, primary care, mental health services, social services, and residential treatment facilities. 

Qualifications

Education:

• Completion of the CA Bridge Statewide Training program, within 6 months of hire.

• Completion of the Substance Use Navigator Training program, within 6 months of hire. 

• While there is no specific degree required, Associate’s degree in health care related field preferred.

Experience:

• 1 year of recent drug treatment experience preferred.

• Previous training and work in a drug treatment/alcohol treatment facility or clinic preferred.

Certifications/Licensure:

• There is no specific certification or licensure required. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Nonjudgmental, energetic, positive approach to assisting patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

• Understanding of SUD as a medical condition and the role of MOUD in treatment and harm reduction. Adherence to an abstinence-based social model that is unsupportive of MOUD is not aligned with the goals of this position.

• Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, homeless individuals and other marginalized populations.

• Able to interact with patients in a culturally relatable manner. Any additional ability to communicate in languages spoken in local community such as Spanish, Tagalog, Hmong, etc. helpful

• Preference for applicants with connections to, and reflecting the diversity of, the local community.

• Respect for patient confidentiality and privacy.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to use computer information systems, computer literacy, and knowledge of word processing 

• Ability to establish detail implementation plans, work standards and accountabilities. 

• Demonstrate leadership, team building and diplomacy skills. 

Essential Functions

1. Provides consistently exceptional care at all times.

2. Works in the Emergency Department to connect with patients prior to discharge.

3. Works with the Barton Ambulatory offices to ensure patients are connected to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services and care. 

4. Communicates with Barton hospital and Ambulatory staff to recruit patients and provide support to staff around MOUD: Monitors the Barton Ambulatory, ED,  and inpatient patient tracking systems to screen for eligible patients; checks-in with Barton Ambulatory providers, and ED and inpatient clinicians and nursing staff to screen for eligible patients.

5. Approaches patients to discuss the program and develop realistic individualized action plans for the patients. 

6. Communicates and interacts with patients in a culturally competent and relatable way

7. Identifies primary medical home if not secured and the patient’s care team including, but not limited to behavioral health providers.

8. Works to connect patient with existing MOUD treatment available at current primary providers and/or behavioral health location if available, unless patient prefers an alternate MOUD treatment location. 

9. Maintains updated, in-depth knowledge of local and regional SUD treatment programs including capacity, insurance requirements, and additional services provided at local and regional programs (benefits assistance, housing assistance, mental health, primary care, etc.). 

10. Develops positive working relationships with Barton Health Ambulatory providers and staff and ED staff and physicians.

11. Initiates, develops and maintains constructive relationships with community MOUD treatment providers. 

12. Schedules follow up appointments, offers additional resources, and networks to help achieve sustained access to care. Assesses and addresses any barriers to attending follow up appointments (transportation, contact phone number availability for appt reminders, shelter needs, etc.) Engages social services to assist with any of these issues as needed. 

13. Arranges transportation to nearby residential treatment facilities and partner programs

14. Assists with navigating barriers to patients obtaining buprenorphine prescription from pharmacy (insurance status, copay expense, cost differences between formulations, etc). Routinely assists patients by having the patient and/or pharmacist call from the pharmacy to sort out encountered insurance barriers in real time. 

15. Supports patient transition in care from the ED /- Inpatient, through targeted follow-up to ensure the patient receives continued MAT care. 

16. Establishes relationships with patients and communicates via telephone, texting, and/or email to remind patients of appointments, help patients navigate any obstacles to follow up treatment, and provide encouragement. 

17. Collects data related to number of buprenorphine/methadone and Narcan administrations, prescriptions, and referrals to care.  

18. During off hours provides a robust referral mechanism to follow up with patients during this timeframe. 

19. Supports patients to access the most optimal level of care available. If a patient is from out of the county and needs to access MOUD in their home county, assists them to connect with local resources in their home county.

20. Becomes versed in a variety of substance use treatment models, patterns of substance use, effects of intoxicants and withdrawal of various substances. Becomes versed in local and regional substance use treatment options and local harm reduction services. Develops expertise in insurance benefits and exclusions related to treatment.

21. Supports organizational program reporting requirements to the outside agencies for regulatory or other program monitoring, as applicable

22. Responds to the needs of the departments by performing other duties, as necessary.