Patient Navigator

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Patient Navigator in the Department of Emergency Medicine within the New Jersey Medical School (NJMS).

The Patient Navigator will support various aspects of the Navigator Essex County and the ED Alt projects. This role will be evenly split, with 50% dedicated to community outreach, activities, and events for those in need of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, and 50% focused on providing services for patients with OUD in the Emergency Department (ED).

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Conducts community outreach activities to connect individuals with care and services, including opioid treatment programs and medication-assisted treatment providers.
• Engage with community members during outreach events and respond to individuals encountered on 911 calls, working alongside the Community Paramedic.
• Provides guidance and support to individuals seeking assistance with opioid use disorder in the ED and the community.
• Facilitate access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) providers and other relevant resources for individuals in need of opioid treatment in the ED and the community.
• Collaborates with hospital and community partners to coordinate medical care and social services for individuals in the ED and the community.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or relevant field of study.
• A minimum of two (2) years of full time professional level experience working with patients diagnosed with any of the following: OUD/SUD, addictions, mental health, anxiety, or relevant conditions/illnesses.
• Equivalent education, experience, and/or training may be substituted for the degree requirement.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to speak clearly and write proficiently.
• Hearing is essential.
• Must be able to focus on the task at hand despite numerous interruptions.
• Must be able to sit for an extended period and document into an electronic medical record.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The position requires working in a moderate noise office setting.
• Fast-paced, high-pressure office environment; must be able to cooperate with a broad spectrum of staff and site visits in the University Hospital's Emergency and Observation Department.