Substance Use Navigator is a part-time position with an expectation of 20 hours per week.

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.

Why is UCS a great place to work?

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(S), SDA 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 current and new clients to various SUD treatment and recovery options, expedite appointments to MAT providers, and work with the SUD Case Manager(s) 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.

MAJOR 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 who work with people using substances.
• Conduct outreach to touchpoints for high-risk substance use within the county such as jails, probation, and parole office, emergency departments, syringe distribution locations, homeless shelters, and SUD treatment programs and local recovery centers.
• Provides outreach services to members of the community who need our services. Develop 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.
• Table/present at community events related to substance use and treatment. Distribute information and provide face-to-face information training at community events and agencies as requested/needed.
• Participate in local monthly or weekly meetings with community partners to further share the resources that are available at UCS including the Virtual IOP program offered State-wide and the Virtual MAT Program.
• Disseminate information about the new virtual programs available at UCS and any programming that is created to service the substance use community and other community members.
• Keep a database of contact demographic information, consultation work done with clients and results.
• Participate/create new ways to provide outreach, not limited to, but including, education, resource sharing, transportation to treatment facilities, etc.
• Have responsibility for the weekly/bi-weekly missed or late appointment reports and, in conjunction with front desk staff, reach out to these clients to re-engage and reschedule appointments.
• Will be the main point of Contact for the Chess Health Help: Getting people aligned with Chess Health, giving information and explaining how the app works, along with all its features and uses.
• Maintain an on-going and current list of SUD clients, IOP and MAT clients, updated weekly and provide to Assistant Director, SUD Case Manager(s) and SUD clinician.

Patient Engagement in Treatment

• Facilitate initiation of treatment and other recovery programs including MAT, peer recovery coaching, inpatient or other outpatient providers as needed/required.
• 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 through training, webinars, classes, community offerings, etc.
• 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 addressing access barriers by assisting with transportation, retrieving medical records, or other support as determined by client needs and community resources.
• Provide clients with 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.
• Collaborate 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 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 training as instructed by supervisor. Always maintain confidentiality in all cases.

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.
• 100% of daily work is to be completed on campus at UCS. Hours/locations may be flexed by the navigator with the permission of the A.D. based on participation at community events, (weekends or evenings).
• Schedule is to be created weekly and shared with A.D.

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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of Associate degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Health Sciences with background in Substance Use Disorders.
• Be 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 collaborating with individuals recently released from incarceration, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other marginalized populations.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and mindfulness to detail
• Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Teams, etc.
• Will be trained in the use of Avatar, the EHR at UCS.
• Basic understanding of clerical procedures and systems such as recordkeeping and filing.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-past environment