Tri-City Medical Center has served San Diego County’s coastal communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, as well as the surrounding region for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. Tri-City is administered by the Tri-City Healthcare District, a California Hospital District. As a full-service acute care public hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. The hospital has received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community. 

Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City’s Emergency Department is there for your loved ones in their time of need and is highly regarded for our heart attack and stroke treatment programs. When minutes matter Tri-City is your source for quality compassionate care close to home. Tri-City partners with over 90 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.

Position Summary:

The Substance Use Navigator helps patients access evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) with a focus on low-threshold access to medication for addiction treatment (MAT) and harm reduction. The Substance Use Navigator functions as part of the multidisciplinary treatment team providing care for the patient.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit based safety and infection control requirements.
• Patient Identification
• Assist with identification of patient with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders in the emergency department (ED) and, where feasible, within inpatient units by monitoring patient tracking systems to screen for eligible patients.
• Check in with clinicians and nursing staff to receive referrals of eligible patients.
• Establish a positive relationship with patients struggling with SUD which may include initial patient assessments and brief interventions using standardized tools.
• Make navigator contact information widely available to people with SUD and clinicians; responds to calls or texts directly from patients and providers.
• Patient Engagement in Treatment
• Facilitate initiation of MAT with hospital clinicians. Introduce patients to MAT programs and services. Assist with access to other services, such as mental health services, primary care, social services, and residential treatment facilities.
• Promote harm-reduction strategies based on the patient’s goals, preferences, and life circumstances.
• Follow-up Care Navigation
• Help patients overcome barriers to filling prescriptions for MAT, scheduling appointments for MAT-capable clinics for ongoing treatment and address access barriers.
• Establish a relationship with patients and communicate via telephone, text, and/or email to remind patients of appointments, help navigate obstacles to follow-up treatment, and provide encouragement.
• Provide patients referrals to other services, such as mental health services, shelter, primary care, social services, and residential treatment facilities. Culture Change and Community Outreach
• Assists in planning in-services and other educational activities relating to substance use disorders and medication for addiction treatment.
• Promote the use of non-stigmatizing language by hospital staff when referring to patients with SUD.
• Advocate for a culture of low threshold access to MAT for patients with SUD.
• Develop connections with a comprehensive array of community service providers to address the needs of people with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Documentation
• Maintains privacy and confidentiality.
• Enter encounter data into the electronic medical record.
• Maintain required program reporting metrics.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Experience with substance use disorders (SUD) and medication assisted treatment (MAT), either through work experience or education, preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, required.
• Ability to communicate effectively utilizing both written and verbal skills, required.
• Proficient computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite, and other related software, required.

Education:

• High School diploma or GED, required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in related field, preferred.

Certification:

• Current BLS; American Heart Association Healthcare Provider, required.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training within 90 days of hire, required.
• Completion of CA Bridge Navigator Orientation and Training Sessions within 60 days of hire or transfer, required.

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work. 

*Salary/Hourly wage range for this position is posted.  Actual pay will be determined based on verified experience as well as internal equity.

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.