Substance Use Navigator- Iberville- Part Time

Ochsner Health•Plaquemine, 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, nonjudgmental 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 appropriately draw on lived experience with substance use and recovery to build trust, reduce stigma, and help patients navigate treatment and recovery pathways. The position requires at least one year of experience in healthcare, behavioral health, social services, community outreach, or a related area. A high school diploma or GED is required. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in social services, behavioral health, public health, or a related field is preferred. The role works with Emergency Department clinicians and community partners, documents patient interactions and referrals in the electronic health record, and assists with follow-up and program tracking. Variable shifts, including overnights, weekends, and holidays, may be required to support Emergency Department operations. This is a part-time position in a patient-care setting. Work includes routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, communicable diseases, and potentially hazardous medications or waste. The physical demand is classified as Light Work, involving exertion of up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. The employer requires compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, organizational policies, privacy standards, and its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one 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.
Ability to meet the physical demands of Light Work, including exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.
Ability to work variable shifts, potentially including overnights, weekends, and holidays.

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, with the ability to use that experience appropriately in a professional clinical setting.
Experience 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 people 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 with Emergency Department patients identified as having 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 about substance use disorder, harm reduction strategies, and 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 in 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 current 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 requirements, and ensure compliance.
Immediately report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct, patient or employee safety concerns, patient privacy concerns, and other compliance-related concerns.