MOUD Navigator (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) - Emergency & Behavioral Health

Follow-Up Care Navigation

• 1.
• Help patients overcome barriers to filling prescriptions for MAT (e.g., insurance status, copay expense, cost differences between formulations, etc.) 2.
• Schedule appointments at MAT-capable clinics for ongoing treatment and address access barriers by assisting with transportation, retrieving medical records, providing cell phones, or other supports as determined by patient needs and community resources.
• 3.
• 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.
• 4.
• Work with hospital staff to set up a robust system for ensuring patient referral and follow-up outside of the navigator’s regular hours.
• 5.
• Develop expertise in insurance benefits and exclusions related to treatment.
• 6.
• Provide patients referrals to other services, such as mental health services, shelter, primary care, social services, and residential treatment facilities.
• 7.
• Assist out-of-county patients to access MAT and other services in their home county.

Documentation

1. Enter encounter data into the electronic medical record or other data collection system as determined by hospital protocols. 2. If required for program reporting, aggregate monthly or quarterly counts of targeted metrics, such as number of patients served, buprenorphine administrations, prescriptions, referrals to care, etc.

Culture Change

1. Advocate for a harm-reduction approach to patients who use drugs within the hospital and community to reinforce evidence-based, non-judgmental approaches so that patients who use drugs get the same care as patients who do not use drugs.

Promote the use of non-stigmatizing language by hospital staff when referring to people who use drugs.

Community Outreach

1. Develop connections with a comprehensive array of community service providers to address the needs of people with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders. 2. Conduct outreach and build trust in settings where people are at high risk of SUD such as jails, syringe distribution locations, homeless shelters, and SUD treatment programs.

Qualifications

Nonjudgmental, energetic, positive, harm-reduction approach to assisting patients with SUD.

Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, homeless individuals, and other marginalized populations.

Understanding of SUD as a medical condition and MAT as an effective, evidence-based treatment.

Understanding that abstinence-based behavioral programs that discourage MAT are not evidence-based.

Ability to communicate with patients clearly, respectfully, and in a culturally appropriate manner.

Ability to communicate in languages spoken in the local community is a plus.

Preference for applicants with connections to and reflecting the diversity of the local community.

Respect for patient confidentiality and privacy.

Ability to use a computer and to learn to use electronic health records.

There is no specific degree, certification, or training requirement, but candidates should plan to obtain certification as a community health worker.