Position Purpose:

The navigator is a care coordinator & an integral team member of a statewide initiative to improve access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. Navigators conduct initial brief assessments, introduce patients to MOUD programs & services, expedite appointments at MOUD-capable clinics, serve as the primary coach for their clients, & maintain ongoing contact with their panel. They also assist with access to other services such as financial counseling, primary care, mental health services, social services, & residential treatment facilities.

• Note: This position is stationed within Kaiser Sunset Emergency Department and Wesley Health Center's Vermont Clinic. The candidate will be subject to policies of both JWCH institute, + Wesley Health Centers and Kaiser Permanente.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Member of the Emergency Department (ED)-based or Bridge clinic-based MOUD Team.
• Upholds JWCH/Kaiser Permanente’s Policies & Procedures, & applicable state, federal & local laws.
• Understands own & team members scope of practice & escalates issues as appropriate.
• Leads & directs other through the change process
• Utilizes communication strategies including chain of command & issue escalation, which result in intended outcomes.
• Mentors, orients, & coaches other in unit specific operations & patient care activities as they relate to substance use & care.
• Complies with regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, & standards of practice.
• Become versed in a variety of substance use treatment models, patterns of substance use, effects of intoxicants & withdrawal of various substances.
• Become versed in local & regional substance use treatment options & local harm reduction services.
• Discusses patient findings & progress toward outcomes & referrals with physicians & other members of the health care team.
• Demonstrates competencies during the grant funded limited period (12-month) & ongoing completion by departmental competency validation. Employee must pass a probationary period.
• Participates in departmental performance improvement activities, i.e., planning, measuring/monitoring, assessing, & improving.
• Attends all mandatory meetings, in-services & staff meeting as required, actively participates in other departmental professional development.
• Keeps self-informed of actives on the unit & makes recommendations for change.
• Supports a collaborative Labor-Management Partnership environment through unit-based teams.
• Utilizes payroll & non-payroll resources to their maximum potential.
• Respect for patient confidentiality and privacy.
• Giving patients information in a way they can understand and ensures comprehension. Uses interpreter services, as needed.
• Makes appropriate referrals and facilitates the customer’s ability to utilize resources.
• Ensures clean, orderly, and function work environment.
• Treats all families of patients with courtesy, respect, kindness, and compassion.
• Provides an optimal patient care experience by actively listening to the needs of patients and family members and taking responsibility for meeting those identified needs.
• Adheres to Attendance Program. Reports to assigned area promptly, being present and available for discussion or patient review at beginning of assigned shift.

Requirements:

• Minimum high school diploma
• Education & training in drug addiction & treatment
• Familiar with substance use treatment & care in outpatient setting, familiar with referrals to outpatients.
• Nonjudgmental, energetic, empathetic positive approach to assisting patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
• Practices customer service standards as defined by the Service Area, Medical Center, & specified department
• Charting is accurate, well-communicated, dated, & timed.
• Demonstrates ability to problem solve with other department in order to assist member problem resolution.
• Available for a flexible schedule, to approach patients once acutely stabilized to discuss the program & develop realistic individualized action plans for the patients – hours will evolve based on patient flow.
• Able to interact with patients in a culturally relatable manner. Any additional ability to communicate in languages spoken in local community such as Spanish, Tagalog, Hmong, etc. helpful.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, homeless individuals, & other marginalized populations.
• Adherence to LMP Workplace safety principles & practices.
• Applies standard precaution including COVID-19 infection prevention practices; maintains a safe environment for self & others.
• Provides a patient care experience that exceeds members’ expectations.

• 
  JWCH requires employees to be vaccinated with exceptions only as required by law (i.e. medical or religion).

Employee Benefits:
JWCH Institute, Inc., offers competitive salaries for all positions. Employees working 30 hours per week or more are provided a monthly allowance which can be used towards medical, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums. The agency offers sick leave and vacation accrual, 11 paid holidays, jury duty pay, mileage reimbursement, employee parking, direct deposit, credit union, and an employee assistance program. In addition JWCH offers a 401(k) Profit Sharing plan to employees who work a minimum of 1,000 hours per fiscal year.

Wesley Health Centers, JWCH Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer