Substance Use Navigator- ED- OMC Jeff Hwy

Ochsner Health•New Orleans, LA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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 operations.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED
1 year Healthcare, behavioral health, social services, community outreach, or related area.
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, 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.

Nice To Haves

Associate's Degree/College Diploma Social Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health, or related field
Bachelor's Social Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health, or related field
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.
Certified Peer Support Specialist/Peer Recovery Specialist
Community Health Worker (CHW) certification
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training
Crisis prevention-de-escalation training

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 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 in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and program improvement efforts.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of substance use treatment resources, community programs, and regulatory requirements.
Supports tracking of referral completion, warm handoff outcomes, follow-up contact attempts, treatment linkage, and repeat ED utilization metrics as required by program leadership.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all policies and standards