Substance Use Navigator- Emergency Department- Kenner

ochsner; Kenner (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Emergency Department is hiring a Substance Use Navigator to engage patients with SUD, provide compassionate support and rapid linkage to treatment. You will collaborate with ED clinicians, social workers and MAT providers to reduce readmissions.

Ideal candidates bring experience in trauma-informed care, SBIRT, and community referrals, and are comfortable working variable shifts, including nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Commitment to patient-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care.
• Ability to engage diverse patient populations in high-stress environments.
• 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 and social service agencies to support linkage.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conducts 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 screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (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 treatment programs, MAT providers, peer support and recovery services, and community 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 to support continuity of care post-discharge.
• Participates in department initiatives.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Patient engagement

Motivational interviewing

Cultural responsiveness

Communication skills

Emotional resilience

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate's Degree in Social Services or related field

Bachelor's in Social Services or related field

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.

For us, this is more than a job- it's a calling. It's waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

The Substance Use Navigator (SUN) serves as a front-line resource in the Emergency Department (ED), engaging patients with substance use disorders (SUD) through compassionate, non-judgmental support. This role facilitates rapid linkage to treatment, harm reduction services, and community-based resources to improve patient outcomes and reduce repeat ED utilization. The SUN may leverage lived experience with substance use and recovery, when appropriate, to build trust, reduce stigma, and support patients in navigating treatment and recovery pathways. May be required to work variable shifts, including overnights, weekends, and holidays, to support Emergency Department opearations.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Education

• Education Required - High School Diploma/GED
• Preferred - Associate's Degree/College Diploma Social Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health, or related field or
• Preferred - Bachelor's Social Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health, or related field

Work Experience

• Work Experience Required - 1 year Healthcare, behavioral health, social services, community outreach, or related area.
• Preferred - Personal lived experience of substance use and sustained recovery (or experience supporting a loved one) are strongly encouraged; must be able to use lived experience appropriately in a professional, clinical setting.
• Experience working in an Emergency Department, crisis, behavioral health, addiction treatment, community outreach, peer support, or case management setting.
• Familiarity with medication-assisted treatment / medications for opioid use disorder referral pathways.
• Experience working with populations experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, justice involvement, or other social needs.

Certifications

• Certifications Preferred - Certified Peer Support Specialist/Peer Recovery Specialist
• Preferred - Commuity Health Worker (CHW) certification
• Preferred - Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training
• Preferred - Crisis prevention-de-escalation training

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Commitment to patient-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care.
• Ability to engage diverse patient populations in high-stress environments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and motivational interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of substance use disorder, recovery principles, and harm reduction strategies.
• Maintains working relationships with community treatment provider, 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 confidentialy.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, basic computer applications.
• 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.

Job Duties

• Conducts 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 screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (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