Compensation: $50,000 plus benefits
Work Location: Roane County Health Department
Reports to: Director of the Roane County Health Department
Job Summary:
The Community Navigator provides peer support services to community members with substance use or co-occurring disorders. This position will connect individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or their families with resources that can positively impact their challenges with addiction. Priority for direct services will be given to individuals who are determined to be at risk for drug overdose upon release from incarceration due to the presence of overdose risk factors. The Community Navigator will provide high quality, harm reduction and overdose-prevention focused education and services in order to reduce HIV, Hepatitis C, overdose, and other communicable diseases while reducing stigma and empowering clients. The Community Navigator will engage with families to provide strengths-based support, resources, and advocacy services to build capacity and provide a continuum of care for those impacted by the effects of substance use or co-occurring disorders.
Qualifications
- Education: Four-year college degree or equivalent experience preferred in health education, social work, and/or behavioral health-related field
- Experience: Minimum of three years related experience in substance use navigation
- Licenses, Certifications or Registrations: Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Certification or in the process of obtaining Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Certification
Skills and Knowledge Preferred:
- Must have excellent communication skills.
- Must value the cultivation of healthy working relationships across multiple disciplines throughout the region.
- Must show strength in setting boundaries while maintaining a compassionate approach to individuals being served.
- Must be able to prioritize and multitask in busy settings.
- Must be a team player.
- Must be self-motivated.
- Must be non-judgmental, flexible, open to new ideas, creative, and energetic.
- Must be able to remain calm and navigate and negotiate through difficult situations.
- Must be able to work effectively with a diverse population.
- Have a high level of accountability, professionalism, and good decision-making skills.
Responsibilities:
Below includes a list of essential duties/tasks performed by this position. This is not an exhaustive list, and this position may be assigned additional duties by management as required.
- Provide non-clinical, strengths-based support and are “experientially credentialed” by their own recovery journey.
- Liaison with referral sources, community partners, and family members.
- Maintain a participant record on all individuals/families entering peer services.
- Provide self-help education and link individuals to tools and resources.
- Identify clients in need and provide appropriate referrals, including assisting clients with accessing support services such as substance use treatment, recovery support groups, homeless services, syringe exchange, overdose prevention services, Naloxone, PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis), treatment for HIV, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections, and other services as needed. Refer families for needed services and resources as well.
- A valid driver’s license is required as some driving and/or transportation may be required to take clients to medical appointments, job sites, social activities, and other community resources.
- Maintain participant confidentiality.
- Assist with data entry, report writing, and other related projects as assigned.
- Establish and maintain frequent communication with the Roane Medical Center ED Navigator and the Roane County Schools Trauma Informed Specialist.
- Provide direct peer services as appropriate, which can include:
- Peer counseling
- Conduct street-level outreach activities to people who use drugs in areas, jails, or neighborhoods identified as high-risk or high-need
- Assisting in the development of strengths-based individual goals
- Serving as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator for resolution of issues that a peer is unable to resolve on his or her own.
- Assisting in the development of recovery goals
- Developing community support
- Providing information on ways to maintain personal wellness and recovery.
- Providing information on behavioral health and/or criminal justice system navigation
- Transportation (as needed)
- Employment skills
- Linking clients to care for community mental health services, substance use treatment, other harm reduction services, primary health services, communicable disease treatment, and other public health services
- Engage with families to encourage and support them through their loved one’s addiction or co-occurring disorder(s) by providing referrals and resources.
Apply Online