Substance Use Navigator at United Counseling Service of Bennington County Inc – Bennington, Vermont

Description: Why join UCS?Since 1958, United Counseling Service (UCS) has been dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to individuals and families in our community. Through a wide range of programs, services, and educational opportunities, we strive to meet the diverse needs of those we serve. Our team includes professionals from various fields, including administration, clinical services, nursing, education, case management, psychiatry, and direct support, working across 17 facilities throughout Bennington County.As a proud affiliate of Vermont Care Partners—a statewide network of 16 non-profit community-based agencies—we deliver comprehensive mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental services across Vermont. We are currently seeking compassionate, motivated team players to join us in making a positive impact and building a stronger community.

UCS Offers Generous Benefits

· Competitive pay

· Generous paid time off

· Medical, dental, and vision insurance

· Retirement plan with employer match

· Employer paid life insurance

· Employer paid short term and long-term disability insurance

· Employee Assistance Program

· Career development opportunities

· Free clinical supervision towards licensure

· Loan repayment and tuition assistance program

· Award winning worksite wellness program

· An inclusive workplace supported by an active Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee.

· Rewarding experience making a difference in the community.

We believe a dynamic and inclusive workforce will strengthen our organization and enhance the services we provide. Therefore, it is our goal to hire a diverse workforce and cultivate a culture where our employees feel accepted and included, hold a valued place within our organization and are equally able to contribute to their fullest extent, assisting in fulfilling our mission of building a stronger community.

Substance Use Navigator/Outreach Worker (SUN) will report to the Assistant Director of Substance Use Disorder Services and TCM. The SUN will work collaboratively with UCS’s SUD Case Manager, FAST Teams, UCS Emergency Services, and other members of the Outpatient program. The Substance Use Navigator will engage and collaborate with key stakeholders to develop joint outreach efforts. In collaboration, the SUN will provide initial assessments, introduce clients to various SUD treatment and recovery options, expedite appointments to MAT providers, and work with the SUD Case Manager and team to assist with access to other services such as health insurance, primary care, mental health services, social services, and residential treatment when indicated. The SUN will offer comprehensive community outreach, care management, care coordination, comprehensive transitional care, individual and family support and referral to treatment and community supports for individuals with an identified substance use disorder.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach and Patient Identification

• Make contact and establish a positive relationship with clients struggling with substance use.
• Make contact information widely available to people who use drugs and clinicians learning how to work with people using drugs.
• Conduct outreach to touchpoints for high-risk substance use within the county such as jails, emergency departments, syringe distribution locations, homeless shelters, and SUD treatment programs
• Provides outreach services to members of the community who are in need of our services. Develops systems to provide services to area clients. Provides protection and advocacy of clients’ rights whenever possible. Provides clients with referral information and assists with transportation as needed.

Patient Engagement in Treatment

• Facilitate initiation of treatment and other recovery program including MAT, peer recovery coaching, inpatient or other outpatient providers.
• Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with clients in a respectful, culturally appropriate, non-judgmental manner.
• Maintain up-to-date information about the effects of various substances, withdrawal symptoms, and treatment options to effectively educate and counsel clients.
• Promote harm-reduction strategies based on clients’ goals, preferences, and life circumstances.

Follow Up Care Navigation

• Develop connections with a comprehensive array of community service providers to address the needs of people with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Assist in navigating appointments for ongoing treatment and address access barriers by assisting with transportation, retrieving medical records, or other supports as determined by client needs and community resources.
• Provide clients referrals to other services such as shelter, primary care, mental health services, social services, and residential treatment facilities.
• Establish a relationship with clients and communicate via telephone, texting, and/or email to remind clients of appointments, help navigate obstacles to follow up treatment, and provide encouragement.
• Work with outside providers to set up a robust system for ensuring patient referral and follow-up.

Documentation

Utilization of My Avatar for client documentation.

For required for program reporting, aggregate monthly or quarterly counts of targeted metrics such as, number of clients served, and clients that initiated and engaged into treatment.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND RECORD KEEPING:

• Completes various clinical and administrative forms for billing, information and clinical records. Completes all case management documentation on time and in a professional manner. Attends all staff meetings, agency meetings, in-services, and clinical trainings as instructed by supervisor. Maintains confidentiality on all cases at all times.

ADMINISTRATIVE, AGENCY AND CLINICAL TEAM MEETINGS::

• May support the function of Universal Access and provide back-up, as requested, for the Universal Access Team.
• Participates in interagency planning and service coordination activities as directed to improve and enhance service continuity and effectiveness for clients.
• Participates in regular interdisciplinary staff meetings, and substance use program supervision.
• Participates in regular group supervision and individual supervision as a means of enhancing professional growth, reviewing the provision of clinical services, and addressing administrative issues.

* In addition to the above, performs other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of Associate degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Health Sciences with background in Substance Use Disorders.
• Willing to obtain the Addiction Apprentice Professional credential through the Vermont Office of Professional of Regulation within 180 days of hire.
• Nonjudgmental, positive, and compassionate approach to assisting clients with substance use disorder (SUD).
• Understanding of SUD as a medical condition and the role of MAT in treatment, harm reduction and recovery supports.
• Ability to use computer information systems, computer literacy, and knowledge of word processing.
• Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other marginalized populations.
• Valid Driver’s License

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic understanding of clerical procedures and systems such as recordkeeping and filing.
• Ability to work independently.

Requirements: