Substance Use Navigator- Emergency Dept- St. Bernard

Ochsner Health•Chalmette, LA

About The Position

The Substance Use Navigator (SUN) serves as a front-line resource in the Emergency Department, engaging patients with substance use disorders through compassionate, non-judgmental support. The role facilitates rapid linkage to treatment, harm reduction services, and community-based resources to improve patient outcomes and reduce repeat Emergency Department utilization. The SUN may use lived experience with substance use and recovery, when appropriate, to build trust, reduce stigma, and support patients in navigating treatment and recovery pathways. Variable shifts, including overnights, weekends, and holidays, may be required to support Emergency Department operations. The position conducts bedside engagement, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment; provides education; facilitates referrals and warm handoffs; coordinates with clinical and community partners; documents interactions and referrals in the electronic health record; and supports post-discharge follow-up and program tracking. The role works in a patient care environment with exposure risks associated with blood, body fluids, communicable diseases, hazardous medications, and hazardous waste.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 1 year of experience in healthcare, behavioral health, social services, community outreach, or a 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.
Ability to maintain 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.
Ability to recognize safety concerns and escalate 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 or college diploma in social services, behavioral health, public health, or a related field.
Bachelor's degree in social services, behavioral health, public health, or a related field.
Personal lived experience of substance use and sustained recovery, or experience supporting a loved one; ability 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 or 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 or Peer Recovery Specialist certification.
Community Health Worker (CHW) certification.
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training.
Crisis prevention and de-escalation training.

Responsibilities

Conduct bedside engagement of Emergency Department patients identified with substance use concerns using trauma-informed and person-centered approaches.
Establish rapport and build trust with patients, including those in crisis or ambivalent about treatment.
Perform screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) activities.
Educate patients and families on substance use disorder, harm reduction strategies, and available treatment options.
Facilitate real-time referrals and warm handoffs to inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, medication-assisted treatment providers, peer support and recovery services, and community and social support resources.
Coordinate with Emergency Department clinicians, social workers, case managers, and behavioral health teams to support care plans.
Accurately document patient interactions and referrals within the electronic health record.
Assist with follow-up outreach, including phone calls and care coordination, to support continuity of care after discharge.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and program improvement efforts.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of substance use treatment resources, community programs, and regulatory requirements.
Support tracking of referral completion, warm handoff outcomes, follow-up contact attempts, treatment linkage, and repeat Emergency Department utilization metrics as required by program leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory agency requirements, and ensure compliance.
Report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct and patient or employee safety, privacy, or other compliance-related concerns.