Medication Assistant Treatment Navigator

at  Glide

ABOUT GLIDE:

GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for social justice, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Through its integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community, GLIDE empowers individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and to thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of society’s most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice. GLIDE’s mission is to create a radically inclusive, just, and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) Navigator works to facilitate access for HEAT clients to medication-assisted treatment, primary medical care, detox, treatment and other services reducing harm surrounding substance use. The MOUD navigator is responsible for conducting outreach as well as onsite services, providing supportive counseling to participants, and following up with clients to support their treatment progression and adherence. In this role you will have direct client contact with diverse, high-risk individuals, many of whom are active substance users, and involves substantial community outreach.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1 to 2 years work or volunteer experience providing harm reduction services (including MOUD linkage and navigation) to similar populations or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with the social determinants of health and how they impact people experiencing homelessness and other marginalized populations.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to obtain confidential data across with clients.
• Experience with working in “street-based” outreach situations preferred.
• Experience working with and providing harm reduction services to people who drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and/or people with co-occurring disorders preferred or equivalent experience in social services or health-related fields.
• Experience working with people who are diverse in sexual identity and orientation, ethnicity, race, living with HCV/HIV, and other perceived differences.
• Experience providing de-escalation techniques successfully in the field and during 1 on 1 and group level activities preferred.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques, principles of counseling/health education, basic social needs, and/or basic principles of health promotion, disease prevention, and preventive health care.
• Ability to plan and implement outreach objectives and activities, collect data and prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered during outreach work, in other GLIDE programs, outside agencies, and with the public.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and show appropriate decision-making while working to meet the demands and needs of a client-centered environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy of persons, documents, data, and communications.
• CA Rapid HIV/HCV Testing and/or Harm Reduction certification preferred; and/or interest in being trained as a certified test counselor.
• Competent in the use of a computer, specifically MS Office suite including Excel.
  This role is covered by the collective bargaining agreement

• Provide linkage to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) on-site and in-person at Glide’s health hub and in partnership with the HEAT mobile outreach team.
• Build rapport, provide supportive counseling that addresses barriers preventing client linkages to MOUD and primary medical care.
• Provide follow-up with clients to assist with MOUD adherence.
• Empower and educate clients to make informed decisions regarding their utilization of relevant services.
• Provide support such as escorting clients to appointments and accessing linkages to other relevant services.
• Conduct case finding outings such as home visits, shelter visits, cell phone check-ins, etc.
• Serve as a contact person for linkage to care MOUD referrals. Provide referrals to clients as needed and maintain referral information.
• Maintain a relationship with all clients after linkage to care through periodic follow-up defined by client needs. Provide follow-up for clients not returning to receive services.
• Conduct street outreach in settings where clients gather. Participate in mobile outreach services to shelter in place (SIP) hotels and other community spaces where unhoused clients reside and gather.
• Document and maintain client records for services provided in accordance with all state and federal privacy laws. Submit monthly activity reports and data.
• Adhere to professional boundaries and standards. Understands and follows basic ethics, values, and principles of case management regulatory practices. Adhere to all laws and requirements regarding HIPAA, confidentiality, child protective services, contractual agreements, etc;
• Assist management with the development and evolution of the Program’s databases by raising data points needed for inclusion so that emerging trends and evolving service operations are captured.
• Assist supervisor in performing evaluation and follow-up to ensure comprehensive and effective services are provided and on track to measure outcomes.
• Prepare outreach & education materials, including flyers and other program materials to engage the community in services.
• Assist with coordinating Special Events to promote MOUD, linkages to care, health and wellness, prevention education, etc.,
• Provide group education and organizational presentations about public health practices appropriate for harm reduction clients.
• Assist with other Harm Reduction Programs activities, including syringe access services (SAS) and other provisions of safe using supplies; participant navigation; support groups; 1 on 1 counseling, coaching, and risk reduction education; outreach; testing and other programmatic activities.
• Provision of overdose reversal, Narcan / naloxone in the field to participants in accidental overdose.