SLH Substance Use Navigator

About the Role

Works in the clinic, Emergency Department, hospital inpatient settings, and community touch points to recruit both people who use substances and clinicians to positively engage in therapeutic relationships. The role promotes the most effective implementation of medications for treatment of addiction, harm reduction strategies, and psychosocial treatments. Substance Use Navigators (SUNs) are experts in both medications for addiction treatment and harm reduction, using motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and strengths-based coaching to promote wellness and reduce harm for people using drugs and alcohol.

SUNs work in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting, collaborating with an interdisciplinary care team to meet patient needs. They become trusted resources for the regional community of people using drugs and the network of clinicians and staff at treatment and social services programs. SUNs develop large social networks and cultivate an expectation of availability, flexibility, and dynamic problem solving. They serve as ambassadors of the Alameda Health System Bridge Program, promoting friendly, on-demand access to high-quality substance use disorder treatment throughout the community.

Responsibilities

• Engages people using drugs in non-judgmental conversation that is friendly, helpful, informative, and supports their participation in harm reduction and substance use disorder treatment opportunities. Engagement may occur by phone, text, in the clinic, emergency department, hospital floor, or community site.
• Provides patient education and counseling on options for medications for addiction treatment (MAT), including methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, bupropion, mirtazapine, and gabapentin.
• Motivates and assists patients to successfully access healthcare, behavioral health, and social resources for their benefit, including direct advocacy with pharmacies, insurance companies, residential treatment facilities, medical facilities, and others.
• In the emergency department and hospital floors, utilizes the electronic medical record and communication with clinicians to proactively screen, identify, and approach patients suspected of struggling with alcohol or substance use. Coordinates with Bridge clinicians to develop and initiate medication treatment for substance use disorders and psychosocial supports.
• In the clinic, answers the Substance Use Navigator Warmline voice and text messages and recruits additional staff and/or clinicians to respond to patient needs.
• Directly schedules clinic visits for patients, motivates attendance, and provides logistical support such as arranging transportation or access via phone.
• Documents patient interactions and status updates in the electronic medical record.
• Communicates with the Bridge practice manager to coordinate daily focus for activity.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications, is qualifying.

• Required Education: High School diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred Education: Associate’s Degree.
• Required Experience: One year of direct patient care experience in substance use disorders and harm reduction within the last two years OR current full-time employment of at least three months working as a substance use navigator in an emergency department. Additionally, experience supporting initiation and maintenance of buprenorphine for treatment of Opioid Use Disorder within the last two years, as well as experience distributing naloxone and training people on overdose recognition and treatment.
• Preferred Experience: Personal, lived experience with substance use disorders and recovery.