Study Navigator

Vanderbilt; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University in Nashville seeks a Study Navigator to support participants in the HBCD study within the Department of Special Education. This on-campus role focuses on individualized outreach to promote engagement, retention, and progress through recovery and study requirements.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team, attend visits across Vanderbilt facilities, and build trust with participants while maintaining confidentiality and following trauma-informed practices.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• State peer support certification for substance use disorders is required.
• Lived experience with a substance use disorder and sustained recovery is required.
• Experience as a state certified peer support specialist or recovery coach is preferred.
• Past service-oriented work is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attend prenatal and postnatal research visits to identify participants needing navigator support.
• Develop advocacy relationships with participants to guide study requirements.
• Promote retention by regular contact and addressing participation barriers.
• Coordinate follow-up and connect participants to resources as needed.
• Maintain relationships with community partners and resources.
• Document participant interactions, referrals, and follow-up activities.
• Collaborate with study team and participate in trainings and meetings.
• Escalate safety concerns per protocols.

Skills

Team collaboration

Time management

Communication

Trauma-informed care

Recovery principles

Office software

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Substance use peer support certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Job description

Working Title:

Study Navigator

Home Department:

Department of Special Education

Position Summary:

The Study Navigator is part of the Healthy Baby and Child Development (HBCD) research study team at the Education and Brain Sciences Research Lab (EBRL) in the Department of Special Education. The Study Navigator is a key individual contributor and active member of a multi-disciplinary team that provides support services to participants in the (HBCD) study, with particular attention to participants struggling with or in recovery from substance use problems. The Study Navigator is a full-time on-campus/in-person position whose primary responsibility is to provide participants with individualized, ongoing support to help complete study requirements, including promoting engagement, improving retention, and assisting throughout the participant's recovery process. #VUrecruitINDNote: work hours are based on research participant appointments which are scheduled at all times of day, including morning, afternoon, late afternoon, evening, and/or weekends.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Attend prenatal and postnatal participant research study visits (occurring at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Health Main Campus and One Hundred Oaks facilities) to identify participants in need of study navigator support services and to develop and maintain relationships with participants.
• Develop a participant advocate relationship through sharing of similar lived experience, that will support and help guide the participant through study requirements.
• Promote participant retention by maintaining regular contact, addressing barriers to participation, and coordinating follow-up and connecting to resources as needed.
• Develop and cultivate relationships and maintain an active presence with community partners and organizations.
• Develop formal and informal community supports available to participants based on their identified needs.
• Maintain an accurate and updated resource list for distribution to participants.
• Identify community resources pertinent to each identified participant's needs and assist in navigating the use of those resources.
• Coordinating donation resources, including procuring and organizing donations, as well as distributing donations to participants.
• Maintain clear documentation of participant interactions, referrals, and follow-up activities.
• Collaborate with the study team by communicating relevant participant information, needs, barriers, etc.
• Participate in staff trainings, development, team meetings and research discussions.
• Serve on designated committees within the study when appropriate.
• Recognize and appropriately escalation safety concerns according to protocols.
• Observe all rules of confidentiality relating to clinical information and treatment, both internally and when dealing with external agencies and/or individuals.
• Assist with other study-related responsibilities, at request.
• Maintain professional standards at all times.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the study's research coordinator.

Education and Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED degree is required.
• Certification from state agency in peer support for substance use disorders is required. Willing to consider candidates currently in the process of obtaining certification.

Experience:

• Lived experience with a substance use disorder and currently in sustained recovery is required.
• History of work as state certified peer support specialist or certified recovery coach for substance use disorder recovery is strongly preferred.
• Past experience working directly with people in a service-oriented field is preferred.

Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively in team environments to achieve common goals is required.
• Strong time management, relationship-building, and communication skills, including active listening and compliance with trauma-informed care best practices is required.
• Understanding of and commitment to recovery principles, harm reduction, and community-based resources is required.
• Familiarity with or comfortability to learn computer programs such as Microsoft Office (including Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams), Zoom, and basic data management platforms is required.

ABOUT US

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice. We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.