Substance Use Navigator

CARDEA HEALTH•Piedmont, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Cardea Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate health care to marginalized populations. Our mission is to create and support programs that protect the health and autonomy of vulnerable individuals and promote equity and social justice to improve the well-being of our entire community. We provide medical support to populations that experience homelessness. At Cardea, we are dedicated to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and actively seeks to include underrepresented communities. We believe that diversity drives innovation and fosters a more dynamic, inclusive, and productive work environment. We actively encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for our open positions. We value your unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, and we are committed to providing equitable opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us in building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our society and let's make a positive impact together. The Substance Use Navigator builds relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness in a variety of settings including temporary shelter, transitional housing, and other residential facilities. Substance Use Navigators encourage methods that mitigate the negative consequences of substance use, up to and including medical treatment for addiction. This position is responsible for providing an array of harm reduction services to people actively using drugs as well as education around treatment options. The Substance Use Navigator will be primarily responsible for direct support to participants, including resource navigation, peer support and providing safer use materials and education, as well as connecting participants with treatment services when requested. The Substance Use Navigator is a champion and advocate for People Who Use Drugs, and the primary role of this position is creating an environment in which harm reduction techniques are embraced and made available to residents and staff.

Requirements

Must have reliable transportation to and from shifts
Must be 18 years of age or older
Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision
Must comply with all agency policies
Must be COVID vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated
Active interest in harm reduction and social justice as it pertains to individuals who use drugs
Familiarity with the basic principles of harm reduction is required

Nice To Haves

Ability to communicate in languages spoken in the local community is desired
Personal life experience in the areas of substance abuse and/or homelessness is desired

Responsibilities

Establish a positive relationship with patients struggling with drug use
Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with patients in a respectful, culturally appropriate, and non-judgmental manner
Be a consistent and supportive presence to all residents, even those who are not ready to engage in services. Contact all residents on a regular basis
Provide one-on-one peer support to clients.
Promote harm reduction strategies based on patients’ goals, preferences, and life circumstances
Assist in creating a supportive environment in which recovery is an individually defined concept, and all paths toward it are encouraged.
Share personal recovery journey as needed
Provide harm reduction education and supplies to staff.
Be an informational resource to staff who work with People Who Use Drugs
Provide post-overdose support to residents and staff.
Connect with overdose survivors within 24-72 hours of the overdose incident
Promote the use of non-stigmatizing language by staff when referring to people who use drugs
Develop connections with an array of community service providers related to harm reduction.
Know how to connect residents to services including HIV/HCV testing, STI testing and treatment, safe sex supplies, PrEP, and syringe exchange
In partnership with supportive services staff, assist participants in basic resource navigation
Facilitate connection with Substance Use Treatment options for clients interested in engaging in treatment.
Provide warm hand off to treatment providers and follow up regularly with clients initiating medication assisted treatment
Document client interactions.
Collect data on program operations