SUD/HCV Care Navigator (SUD Linkage to Care Specialist)

HEALTH FEDERATION OF PHILADELPHIA•Philadelphia, PA

77d•$56,000 - $58,000

About The Position

The SUD/HCV Care Navigator (SUD Linkage to Care Specialist) is in the PDPH Division of Disease Control’s Viral Hepatitis Program. They will support people diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) utilizing hepatitis C virus (HCV) surveillance data by providing direct linkage to clinical settings that provide integrated SUD and hepatitis C treatment. The SUD/HCV Care Navigator (SUD Linkage to Care Specialist) assists clients by navigating through the entire continuum of care. Services that individuals are connected to include drug treatment, hepatitis C treatment, medical care and wound care, harm reduction education, and social services such as housing and job placement. Navigators also coordinate the mailing of naloxone and fentanyl and/or xylazine test strips to clients. This individual will be familiar with the local public health landscape and work directly with individuals with opioid use disorder and/or SUD to ensure they have the tools to address barriers to seeking care and support people accessing treatment and retention (and reengagement if necessary) in SUD treatment and care, as well as support access to other services, such as harm reduction and social supports. The SUD/HCV Care Navigator (SUD Linkage to Care Specialist) position conducts full-time participant linkage to SUD and hepatitis C treatment and the necessary wraparound services to ease the barriers faced by priority populations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or similar field from an accredited college or university preferred. Relevant years of experience can be substituted for Bachelor’s degree.
Performing community outreach, preferably about health or social services programs.
Working with individuals with opioid use disorder, preferred.
Working in a health care setting (health department, hospital, FQHC, primary care, community-based organization, etc.).
Able to maintain confidential medical information.
Knowledge of and ability to work and engage with individuals who are part of specific populations, including incarcerated individuals, persons who use drugs, recent immigrants, uninsured, under-served and under-represented populations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Must be skilled in Microsoft Office suite.
Capacity to manage data collection and tracking of data within collection systems.
Able to translate project data into written report deliverables.
Able to handle multiple tasks and support project timeline with a high degree of organizational skill and independence.
Must be a team player, willing to support the goals of this project, the Viral Hepatitis Program, and Division of Disease Control, respectively.
Able to work effectively and professionally in both fast-paced and calm environments within an office and a field-based setting, as well as independently and within a team.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of harm reduction, stages of change, and motivational interviewing, preferred.
Working knowledge of viral hepatitis, including transmission, prevention strategies, laboratory and treatment information preferred (additional training will be provided).
Extensive experience engaging with community members, including public speaking, training, and/or individual and small group engagement.
Fluency in Spanish beneficial.

Responsibilities

Engage individuals who are at risk for or living with SUD and HCV through community outreach, partner referrals, and screenings.
Conduct initial assessments to understand participant needs, barriers to care, and readiness for treatment.
Provide direct support to navigate healthcare systems, including scheduling appointments and addressing barriers to access (i.e., insurance, transportation, paperwork).
Maintain consistent communication with participants to ensure continuity of care and address any barriers to treatment adherence.
Educate participants on SUD treatment and harm reduction, and about HCV transmission, prevention and treatment options, integrating harm reduction principles.
Link participants to harm reduction resources, including wound care, syringe services programs, naloxone, and access to drug testing strips (such as fentanyl and xylazine test strips).
Develop trust and rapport with participants, offering non-judgmental support tailored to their individuals’ needs and readiness for change.
Coordinate with harm reduction teams, healthcare providers, and behavioral health organizations to streamline referrals and service delivery.
Participate in case conferencing and team meetings with healthcare providers to ensure collaborative, client-centered care planning as needed
Build relationships with providers and develop referral processes with local treatment programs, clinics, and community-based organizations to increase access to SUD and HCV care.
Advocate for participants within healthcare and social services systems to reduce stigma and address health inequities.
Empower participants to make informed decisions regarding their health, encouraging treatment adherence and harm reduction strategies.
Track participant progress towards milestones, including screenings, referrals, treatment initiation, and outcomes for SUD and HCV.
Document barriers and challenges to accessing SUD and HCV services, used to directly inform provider linkage, clinic education, print materials.
Maintain accurate documentation and timely data entry in electronic systems tracking project deliverables.
Document feedback from program participants to inform and improve linkage activities.
Support broad program activities through close work with the Viral Hepatitis and Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction teams.
Participate in emergency preparedness exercises and real response activities at the discretion of the Viral Hepatitis Program Manager and Division Director.