ED Substance Use Navigator: Compassionate Care & Rapid Linkage

Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Plaquemine (LA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Clinic Foundation in Louisiana seeks a Substance Use Navigator to engage ED patients with substance use concerns, using trauma-informed, person-centered approaches and to link them to treatment and harm-reduction resources.

You will perform SBIRT, educate patients and families, and coordinate real-time referrals with ED clinicians and behavioral health teams, documenting all interactions in the EHR with empathy and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Commitment to patient-centered, trauma-informed care.
• Ability to engage diverse patients in high-stress settings.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and motivational interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of substance use disorder, recovery principles, and harm reduction strategies.
• Maintains working relationships with community treatment providers, recovery organizations, and social service agencies to support timely patient linkage.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, basic computer applications, and accurate documentation workflows.
• Recognizes safety concerns and escalates patient behavioral health, intoxication, withdrawal, or crisis situations according to department protocols.
• Emotional resilience and ability to manage challenging or emotionally charged situations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct bedside engagement of ED patients identified with substance use concerns using trauma-informed and person-centered approaches.
• Establishes rapport and build trust with patients, including those in crisis or ambivalent about treatment.
• Performs SBIRT activities.
• Educates patients and families on substance use disorder, harm reduction strategies, and available treatment options.
• Facilitates real-time referrals and warm handoffs to inpatient/outpatient treatment programs; medication-assisted treatment (MAT) providers; peer support and recovery services; community and social support resources.
• Coordinates with ED clinicians, social workers, case managers, and behavioral health teams to support care plans.
• Documents all patient interactions and referrals accurately within the electronic health record (EHR).
• Assists with follow-up outreach (phone calls, care coordination) to support continuity of care post-discharge.
• Participates

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Cultural sensitivity

Patient engagement

Motivational interviewing

SUD knowledge

Harm reduction

Community partnerships

Documentation accuracy

Professional boundaries

EHR proficiency

Emotional resilience

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate's Degree/College Diploma in Social Services/Behavioral Health/Public Health or related field

Bachelor's Degree in Social Services/Behavioral Health/Public Health or related field

Job description

Ochsner Clinic Foundation in Louisiana seeks a Substance Use Navigator to engage ED patients with substance use concerns, using trauma-informed, person-centered approaches and to link them to treatment and harm-reduction resources.

You will perform SBIRT, educate patients and families, and coordinate real-time referrals with ED clinicians and behavioral health teams, documenting all interactions in the EHR with empathy and professionalism.