Substance Use Navigator

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
This job description is a record of the essential functions of the listed job. The job description provides the employee, CEO, Human Resources, applicants and other agencies with a clear understanding of the job, where it fits into the organization, and the skill and work requirements in relation to other jobs. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job description is not intended to limit normal change and growth. The facility will make reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals who are capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
 

POSITION SUMMARY
The substance use navigator (SUN) helps patients access evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders with a focus on low-threshold access to MAT (medication for addiction treatment) and harm-reduction. SUNs conduct outreach and identification of patients, conduct initial brief assessments, introduce patients to MAT programs and services, facilitate appointments at outpatient MAT clinics, serve as a resource and coach for their clients, and advocate for culture change in the hospital. They also assist with access to other services such as financial counseling, primary care, mental health services, social services, and residential treatment facilities.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
● Nonjudgmental, energetic, positive, harm-reduction approach to assisting patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
● Understanding of SUD as a medical condition and the role of MAT in treatment and harm reduction. Adherence to an abstinence-based social model that is unsupportive of MAT is not aligned with the goals of this position.
● Ability to use computer information systems, computer literacy, and knowledge of word processing
● Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, homeless individuals, and other marginalized populations.
● Ability to interact with patients in a culturally relatable manner. Any additional ability to communicate in languages spoken in the local community such as Spanish, Tagalog, Hmong, etc. is helpful.
● Preference for applicants with connections to, and reflecting the diversity of, the local community.
● Respect for patient confidentiality and privacy.
● Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
● There is no specific degree, certification, or training requirement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Position-Specific Performance Measures:
Outreach and Patient Identification
● Assist with identification of patients with a substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders in the ED and, where feasible, within inpatient units, by monitoring patient tracking systems to screen for eligible patients and checking in with clinicians and nursing staff to receive referrals of eligible patients.
● Make contact and establish a positive relationship with patients in the hospital struggling with drug use. If required by the hospital, to allow for billing, this may include initial patient assessments and brief interventions using standardized tools.
● Make SUN contact information widely available to people who use drugs and clinicians learning how to work with people using drugs; respond to calls or texts directly from patients and providers.
● Advocate for a culture of low threshold access to buprenorphine and methadone for patients with OUD that includes signage or materials inviting patients to seek help for substance use in prominent areas of the ED and hospital.
● Conduct outreach to touchpoints for high risk opioid use such as jails, syringe distribution locations, homeless shelters, and SUD treatment programs. The goal is to gain the respect and trust of the highest risk people using drugs in the community.
Patient Engagement in Treatment
● Facilitate initiation of MAT with on-site clinician, when applicable, or with an outpatient provider.
● 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 in order to effectively educate and counsel patients.
● Promote harm-reduction strategies based on patients’ goals, preferences, and life circumstances.
Follow Up Care Navigation
● Assist with navigating barriers to patients obtaining buprenorphine prescription from pharmacy (insurance status, copay expense, cost differences between formulations, etc).
● Develop connections with a comprehensive array of community service providers to address the needs of people with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders.
● Schedule appointments at MAT-capable clinics for ongoing treatment and address access barriers by assisting with transportation, retrieving medical records, providing cell phones or minutes, or other supports as determined by patient needs and community resources.
● Provide patients referrals to other services such as shelter, primary care, mental health services, social services, and residential treatment facilities.
● Establish a relationship with patients and communicate via telephone, texting, and/or email to remind patients of appointments, help navigate obstacles to follow up treatment, and provide encouragement.
● Work with hospital staff to set up a robust system for ensuring patient referral and follow-up outside of the SUN’s regular hours.
● Develop expertise in insurance benefits and exclusions related to treatment.
● Assist out-of-county patients access MAT and other services in their home county.
Documentation
● Enter encounter data into the electronic medical record or other data collection system, as determined by hospital protocols.
● If required for program reporting, aggregate monthly or quarterly counts of targeted metrics such as, number of patients served, buprenorphine administrations, prescriptions, referrals to care, etc.
Culture Change
● Advocate for a harm-reduction approach to patients who use drugs within the hospital and community to reinforce evidence-based, non-judgmental approaches so that patients who use drugs get the same care as patients who do not use drugs.
● Promote the use of non-stigmatizing language by hospital staff when talking about people who use drugs.