Job Description

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Member of the Emergency Department (ED)-based or Bridge clinic-based MOUD Team.
• Available scheduled hours, M-F 9a-5p to approach patients once acutely stabilized to discuss the program and develop realistic individualized action plans for the patients.
• This is an exempt position, grant funded with the anticipation of 40 hours per week.
• Become versed in a variety of substance use treatment models, patterns of substance use, effects of intoxicants and withdrawal of various substances.
• Become versed in local and regional substance use treatment options and local harm reduction services.
• Develop expertise in insurance benefits and exclusions related to treatment.
• Initiate, develop and maintain constructive relationships with community MOUD treatment providers.
• Schedules follow up appointments, offers additional resources, networks to help achieve sustained access to care.
• Establish relationships with patients and communicate via telephone, texting, and/or email to remind patients of appointments, help patients navigate any obstacles to follow up treatment, and provide encouragement.
• Support patient to access the most optimal level of care available. If a patient from out of county and needs to access MOUD in their home county, assist to connect with local resources in their home county.
• Understanding of SUD as a medical condition and the role of MOUD in treatment and harm reduction. Adherence to an abstinence-based social model that is unsupportive of MOUD is not aligned with the goals of this position.
• Preference for applicants with connections to, and reflecting the diversity of, the local community.
• Communicate with hospital staff daily during weekdays to recruit patients and provide support to staff around MOUD: Monitors the ED and inpatient patient tracking systems to screen for eligible patients; checks-in with ED and inpatient clinicians and nursing staff to screen for eligible patients.
• Identify current PMD and behavioral health providers. Works to connect patient with existing MOUD treatment available at current PMD and/or behavioral health location if available, unless patient prefers an alternate MOUD treatment location. Identify primary medical home if not secured.
• Maintain updated, in-depth knowledge of local and regional SUD treatment programs including capacity, insurance requirements, and additional services provided at local and regional programs (benefits assistance, housing assistance, mental health, primary care, etc.).
• Assess and address any barriers to attending follow-up appointments (transportation, contact phone # availability for appointments reminders, shelter needs, etc.). Engage social services to assist with any of these issues as needed.
• Arranges transportation to nearby residential treatment facilities and partner programs.
• Assist with navigating barriers to patients obtaining buprenorphine prescription from pharmacy (insurance status, copay expense, cost differences between formulations, etc.). Routinely assists patients by having the patient and/or pharmacist call from the pharmacy to sort out encountered insurance barriers in real time.
• After discharge from ED +/- Inpatient, on the day prior to follow up appointment contact patients to remind them of their follow up appt.
• Collect data related to the number of buprenorphine/methadone administrations, prescriptions, and referrals to care.
• Engage in scheduled California Bridge coaching calls and navigator trainings.
• If applicable, additional responsibilities and duties at Bridge clinic as delineated by supervisor.
• Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, homeless individuals and other marginalized populations.
• 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.
• Nonjudgmental, energetic, positive approach to assisting patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Req
High School or equivalent

Pref
Bachelor’s Degree Related field.

Work Experience
Pref
1 year Experience providing SUD services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Req

Ability to use computer information systems, computer literacy, and knowledge of word processing.
Communicates and interacts with patients in a culturally competent and relatable way.
Respect for patient confidentiality and privacy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Nonjudgmental, energetic, positive approach to assisting patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Understanding of SUD as a medical condition and the role of MOUD in treatment and harm reduction. Adherence to an abstinence-based social model that is unsupportive of MOUD is not aligned with the goals of this position.
X Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, homeless individuals and other
marginalized populations.

Pref

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.

Licenses/Certifications

Req

Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association - Within 30 days of hire.
Workplace Violence Training Program Within 6 months of hire.

Pay Transparency

The annual salary range for this position is $25.00 - $39.69. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California Arcadia Hospital considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, State, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The navigator is a care coordinator and 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 and services, expedite appointments at MOUD-capable clinics, serve as the primary coach for their clients, and 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, and residential treatment facilities.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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