Substance Use Navigator - Outpatient - CARC

About the Role

The Substance Use Navigator (SUN), Outpatient is a trained, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist who helps patients engaged in outpatient services access evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders. The focus is on low-threshold access to Medication Assisted Recovery (MAR), treatment programs, and harm-reduction. They provide experience, education, and professional services to assist and support individuals in developing and/or maintaining recovery-oriented, wellness-focused lifestyles.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial brief assessments; introduce and connect patients to recovery programs and services.
• Assist with the facilitation of appointments at outpatient treatment clinics including Carle Addiction Recovery Center (CARC) and external agencies within the community.
• Assist with access to other services such as financial counseling, primary care, mental health services, social services, and residential treatment facilities.
• Assist with navigating barriers to patients obtaining substance use treatment.
• Establish professional relationships with patients and communicate with them to help navigate obstacles to follow-up treatment, providing encouragement.
• Advocate for a harm-reduction approach to patients who use drugs within outpatient settings to reinforce evidence-based, non-judgmental approaches.
• Assist in facilitating initiation of MAR with on-site clinician, when applicable, or with an outpatient provider.
• Ensure patients receive comprehensive services: identification into services, assessment, discharge planning, and other aspects of warm handoff.
• Work with patients who present dual problems, such as co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
• Identify patient need for services and use evidence-based approaches to engage patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
• Recruit and work with identified patients using motivational interviewing to integrate them into Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programming.
• Engage patients with SUD and facilitate warm handoffs.
• Establish collaborative relationships with patients, providing practical and personalized support for entering and adhering to treatment.
• Assist in creation of treatment planning and facilitate discharge planning.
• Ensure patients receive support and motivation to engage in and adhere to ongoing treatment.
• Provide patient care based on inherent dignity, individuality, culture, and beliefs of each patient in a compassionate, humane, and non-enabling manner.
• Participate in interdisciplinary clinical staffing or ensure pertinent information is provided to the team.
• Demonstrate Motivational Interviewing skills when working with patients.
• Provide continuum of care/follow-up care to patients, including recovery support after discharge as needed.
• Bridge care with insurance-correlated community services.
• Provide follow-up instructions, appointments, and coordination for discharge planning.
• Communicate detailed information to receptive discharge providers to ensure warm handoff in the care coordination process.
• Identify barriers to transportation and assist with getting patient transportation to appointments.
• Provide ongoing recovery support to ensure patient engagement in treatment over time, helping navigate stages of change and practical considerations.
• Work with insurance-provided transportation programs to ensure transportation.
• Provide education/information to patients, families, and other invested parties.
• Educate on addiction, signs of overdose, and administration of naloxone products.
• Provide consultation with patient, family, insurance provider, and treatment providers to confirm recommended course of treatment is covered and/or affordable.
• Participate in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) as needed.
• Assist in facilitation of services based on quality initiatives and documentation in Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
• Document all discharge planning and recovery planning components accurately in EMR.
• Assist with documentation in EMR to support quality initiatives and audits for medical necessity documents as requested.
• Make contact and establish positive relationships with patients in the outpatient setting using standardized tools and assessments.
• Work with supervisor to set up a robust system for ensuring patient referral and follow-up regardless of current engagement.
• Develop expertise in insurance benefits and exclusions related to treatment.
• Develop relationships with a comprehensive array of community service providers to address the needs of people with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Respond to calls or messages directly from patients and providers, as appropriate.
• Advocate for a culture of low-threshold access to medication-assisted recovery for patients, including signage or materials inviting patients to seek help.
• Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with patients in a respectful, culturally appropriate, non-judgmental manner.
• Maintain up-to-date information about the effects of various substances, withdrawal symptoms, and treatment options to effectively educate and counsel patients.
• Refer and link clients to substance use treatment and crisis support resources.

Requirements

• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) within 1 year - Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA).

About Us

At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and communities. Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We’ve grown to include eight award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College.

Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.

Pay

The compensation range for this position is $22.40 per hour - $37.41 per hour. The actual compensation offered will be dependent on factors including the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked, and compensation model.

Benefits

Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more, visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.