Substance Use Navigator

Beacon Community Connections; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Beacon Community Connections seeks a Substance Use Navigator/Peer Support Specialist to connect patients with social care resources and behavioral health services within a hospital setting in Louisiana. You will advocate for clients, coordinate care, and provide navigation to community resources.

The role requires lived recovery experience, strong communication, and the ability to work in a busy health-care environment with a focus on harm reduction and client empowerment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Lived experience with addiction and fully in recovery for 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.
• Reliable vehicle; travel is required.
• Able to work in a busy hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Assess health-related social needs and provide navigation to services.
• Visit patients before discharge and assist with education and harm reduction strategies.
• Educate and connect patients to substance use treatment and mental health resources.
• Communicate regularly with clients by phone, video, text, or email.
• Document client interactions in Beacon’s SOCHR/Salesforce system.
• Advocate for clients and coordinate care across providers.
• Attend Beacon-wide and service-line meetings and events.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Documentation

Travel

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

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.

General Social Care Responsibilities

• Conduct an assessment of health-related social needs and other social care needs. SUN/PSS will provide navigation services to patients of FMOLHS Affiliates with a non-lethal opioid overdose or opioid use disorder.
• SUN/PSS will visit the Affiliate's patient before discharge. Will 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.
• 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.

SUN/PSS 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.

Professional Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, or related field preferred by 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.

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.

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