Substance Use Navigator

About the role

Substance Use Navigators/Peer Support Specialists provide social care services through assessment, care coordination, and navigation of complex systems of care. The Substance Use Navigator/Peer Support Specialist supports people with substance use and social needs by connecting them to community resources, social services, and healthcare, including behavioral health. The Substance Use Navigator/Peer Support Specialist serves as an advocate when facilitating access to services. The Substance Use Navigator/Peer Support Specialist collaborates internally and externally to ensure clients receive resolutions for their social care needs. The Substance Use Navigator/Peer Support Specialist reports directly to the Substance Use Navigator/Peer Support Specialist Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Conduct an assessment of health-related social needs and other social care needs.
• Provide navigation services to patients of FMOLHS Affiliates with a non-lethal opioid overdose or opioid use disorder.
• Visit the Affiliate's patient before discharge.
• Assist in education and access to harm reduction strategies (e.g. Narcan) as well as connecting Affiliate's patients to appropriate assessment and treatment of substance use disorder and mental illness.
• Create a social care plan using person-centered principles.
• Communicate on a regular schedule with clients through phone, video conference, text/email.
• Document interactions with clients and community-based organizations on behalf of clients within Beacon's Social Care Health Record (SOCHR) powered by Salesforce.
• Provide education to empower and generate client self-sufficiency.
• Maintain a solution-oriented mindset for creative problem-solving of client social care needs.
• Attend Beacon-wide and service-line-specific meetings and events consistently.
• Stay up to date on social care processes and procedures.
• Serve as a backup for other health navigation positions and provide direct social care during crisis situations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Substance Use Navigator/Peer Support Specialist Response Navigation Responsibilities

• Respond with an in-person interaction within 60 minutes upon referral receipt.
• Complete in-person response to referrals from hospitals for clients who have overdosed or are in need of substance use treatment.
• Conduct initial assessments and brief interventions utilizing standard tools.
• Facilitate initial interventions or initiation of treatment as directed by the client and family.
• Provide education to clients and family/friends and promote harm reduction strategies based on the client's goals, preferences, and life circumstances.
• Diligent effort to maintain a 30-day connection with clients, respond timely to calls, emails, or texts.
• Establish a positive relationship with clients who are struggling with drug usage or co-occurring disorders.
• Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with clients respectfully, in a culturally appropriate, and non-judgmental manner.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on treatment options, community resources, and substance use disorder symptomology to effectively educate and counsel clients.
• Engage with clients with co-occurring mental health disorders to help them access services.
• Comply with specific contractual obligations depending on the program or project.

Beacon-wide Staff Responsibilities

• Complete all work with Beacon's mission and vision in mind, including assigned tasks or projects outside the scope of regular work responsibilities.
• Work within the core value of Better Together by building and maintaining relationships with Beacon staff members, clients, and community partners.
• Work within the core value of Self-Care by ensuring your own good physical and mental well-being and encouraging it in those around you.
• Work within the core value of Lifelong Learning by engaging in staff professional development and self-directed learning.
• Work within the core value of Belonging by seeking opportunities to build community and a positive working culture at Beacon.
• Work within the core value of Solution Oriented to provide excellent social care for clients, including collaborating to raise funds and find other resources to support Beacon's mission.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, or related field preferred but not required.
• Lived experience with addiction and fully in recovery for over 2 years required.
• Background Check and Drug Screen will be performed.
• Complete Substance Use Navigator training within the first 2 months of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to complete standardized assessments as part of holistic social care services.
• Ability to speak on the phone, via video conference call, in-person, or via text/email to communicate with clients.
• Empathetic demeanor at all times with all clients. Sensitive to the needs of the poor, uninsured, elderly, disabled, chronically ill, or other marginalized people.
• Strong computer skills and the ability to accurately document client activities in an electronic health record.
• Reliable vehicle, travel is required.
• Comfortable working in a busy, loud hospital environment.

Schedule

• Employees will generally remain within their assigned schedule group:
  • Day/Midday Schedule: Weekday shifts are primarily 8:00 AM–4:00 PM and 11:00 AM–7:00 PM. Weekend shifts may include 12:00 AM–12:00 PM or 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.
  • Night/Evening Schedule: Weekday shifts are primarily 12:00 AM–8:00 AM and 4:00 PM–12:00 AM. Weekend shifts may include 12:00 PM–12:00 AM or 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.
• Employees participate in a rotating weekend schedule and are generally not scheduled to work consecutive weekends.
• Because the SUN program provides services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, some flexibility may occasionally be required to maintain appropriate coverage, including holidays (required and will be rotated amongst team members), staff leave, or unexpected staffing needs.

Hospitals Served

• Our Lady of the Lake Hospital - Main
• Our Lady of Angels Hospital
• Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth
• Our Lady of the Lake North Emergency Room
• Our Lady of the Lake Livingston