SUD Navigator - CENS

HealthRIGHT 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing comprehensive, integrated, compassionate care that includes primary medical care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.

Benefits and perks:
• HR360 offers a robust benefits package, including PTO, 15 paid holidays, commuter benefits, retirement plans, and more!
• Employees qualify for public loan forgiveness programs
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Work with mission driven, compassionate colleagues and make a difference every day in the work that you do.


This is a union eligible position.
JOB SUMMARY
HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit organization and a family of programs, is committed to providing accessible
and comprehensive healthcare services to vulnerable populations. Our mission is to tackle systemic
barriers to healthcare and promote health equity for all. We offer a wide range of services, including
mental health care, residential and outpatient substance use treatment, and primary health services.
Additionally, we provide transitional support for individuals re-entering the community after involvement
in the criminal justice system. By integrating physical and behavioral health, we empower individuals to
overcome challenges by addressing social determinants of health, fostering resilience, and facilitating
recovery.

Prototypes' Client Engagement and Navigation Services (CENS) is dedicated to improving the attendance
rates of clients seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, in collaboration with state and county
agencies. CENS accomplishes this by actively engaging clients, assessing their needs through an ASAM
brief triage for adults or an evidence-based screening tool for youth, and guiding them to suitable
treatment options. The program also ensures clients have the necessary support, such as transportation
and health coverage (e.g., Medi-Cal or My Health LA), to access these services successfully. Operating in
various locations throughout Service Planning Area 3 (SPA 3), including Pomona, Pasadena, and El Monte,
CENS provides tailored support to help clients connect with the right treatment resources.

The SUD Navigator plays a key role in connecting individuals with appropriate substance use disorder
(SUD) treatment services. Using an ASAM triage assessment for adults and evidence-based tools for youth,
the Navigator determines the best treatment options, motivates clients to engage in care, and ensures
they have the necessary support, such as transportation and health coverage (e.g., Medi-Cal, My Health
LA). They provide face-to-face support, serve as a liaison for individuals involved in multiple systems, and
connect clients with additional services to address barriers like poor health, domestic violence, and
homelessness. Since the program operates throughout SPA 3 at various county facilities, and SUD
Navigators also conduct community outreach and participate in job and health fairs, reliable
transportation is required to effectively perform these duties across different locations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Assessment and Referrals
• Conduct an ASAM triage assessment to determine if the adult client needs SUD treatment and
the provisional level of care to which the client will be referred.
• Conduct additional assessments for ancillary service referrals if they have not already been
conducted by the referring case worker, including, but not limited to, vocational rehabilitation,
education, transportation, housing, physical health, and other public social services.
• Use the Youth and Parent screening tool to determine SUD risks for youth clients and refer them
to the nearest appropriate youth outpatient SUD providers, based on client preference and need,
for further assessment as appropriate.
Client Enrollment and Support
• Assist clients in entering data in the Department of Public Social Services BenefitsCal website for
Medi-Cal enrollment or contacting a My Health LA provider to schedule an enrollment
appointment.
• Contact clients to remind them of their upcoming provider appointments and coordinate
transportation to the SUD treatment provider, if needed.
Education and Intervention
• Provide clients with a basic overview of SUD to increase the likelihood of a client’s understanding
and follow-through with treatment.
• Discuss the steps to take in case of relapse, including overdose prevention; provide HIV/AIDS
education and referrals for HIV testing and treatment services; and discuss the availability of
medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders.
• Provide substance use disorder training to various community partners.
• Conduct community outreach and participate in job and health fairs to promote public awareness
about substance use disorders and to inform consumers about SUD treatment options available
through DMC-ODS.
Service Coordination
• Schedule clients for a full ASAM assessment with a SUD treatment provider that matches the
client’s needs and preferences using SAPC’s electronic Service and Bed Availability Tool (SBAT).
• Enter data into SAPC’s electronic health record system so that the client information is provided
to the treatment provider before the client appears for the appointment, if possible.
And perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Certification, or Licensure
• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Substance Use Disorder Counselor Registration or Certification from a California certifying agency
(CCAPP, CAADE, CADTP).
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Valid California Driver’s License and access to registered and insured transportation.
Experience
• Experience working as registered substance abuse or behavioral disorder counselor or recovery
specialist in community mental health preferred.


• We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
• Must complete a background check and livescan.