Patient Navigator

Job Summary

Involves providing non-clinical support, guidance and assistance for patients and families as they navigate through complex healthcare environments. Primary goals are to increase patient satisfaction, and to optimize care and outcomes. Acts as a communication liaison to understand the patient's non-clinical individual needs, desires, and concerns. Guides the patient and family to a broad range of services, amenities, and information to promote healing and ensure satisfaction with the patient care experience.

OBIC (Office-based Buprenorphine Induction Clinic) is operated through the UCSF/ZSFG Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH). OBIC provides evidence-based outpatient treatment for substance use disorders with particular emphasis on medications for addiction treatment. OBIC is starting a new patient outreach and engagement program. We are seeking a Patient Navigator to play an essential role in outreach and engagement to people who are using drugs and would like to seek care.

This is an exciting time to join our team as we grow and transform with the addition of new programs and services to support patients and our community. We are looking for a mission-driven, team player committed to patient-centered and compassionate care for people using drugs. The patient navigator will work closely with the OBIC team to engage and outreach to patients in care focused on low threshold access to medications and harm reduction.

The patient navigator will play an essential role in supporting patients and collaborating with the OBIC team. The ideal candidate will utilize lived experience with substance use and/or living in the communities we serve to support patients engaging in care. We aim to foster an environment of inclusion and belonging for our workforce and to create a team that reflects the diversity of San Franciscans served in our clinic.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Strong aptitude to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services to the population of focus.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to communicate and resolve issues effectively with a diverse population of patients, staff, and physicians.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to develop solutions and recommend changes and follow through with implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong skills to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision. Ability to work collaboratively with other community agencies.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, demanding environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain helpful, caring and courteous relationships with our patients, co-workers, and physicians.
• Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability.

• Registration with a California approved Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Organization.
• Familiarity with various supportive counseling strategies (Motivational Interviewing, Wellness & Recovery Principles, Harm Reduction, Trauma informed care, and more).
• Ability to speak, write, and understand Spanish.
• Training and experience in delivering behavioral health interventions to persons with substance use disorders.
• Strong familiarity with community resources, organizations, and harm reduction practices.
• Proficiency with Windows-based software including Microsoft word, Excel, Outlook. Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.