CA Bridge Connect Navigator

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.

PHI was distinguished as one of the top 50 "Best Non-Profit Organizations to Work For" by the Non-Profit Times in a national search.

SUMMARY

Bridge is a program of the Public Health Institute (PHI) that increases the impact of hospital emergency departments (EDs) on population health issues and health equity. Our largest program, CA Bridge, has supported more than 290 hospitals over the last six years to implement medication for addiction treatment (MAT) in the ED based on the CA Bridge Model for 24/7 low-barrier access to evidence-based addiction treatment. Our National Expansion program builds capacity for ED MAT in every state by activating local leaders to transform addiction care and reduce overdose deaths. The EMS Bridge extends the administration of low-barrier MAT to paramedics. Through the ED Syphilis/HIV/HCV Screening Program, we support EDs to expand their capacity for routine opt-out screening, immediate treatment, and navigator-led patient education and linkage to care. Our Access Bridge program increases access to contraception and treatment for pregnancy emergencies from the ED, particularly in abortion-restricted states and regions.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Positioned within our CA Bridge program team, the CA Bridge Connect Navigator supports the launch and implementation of CA Bridge Connect, a publicly available platform that will significantly expand access to low-barrier medications for addiction treatment (MAT). This initiative builds on the success of our CA Bridge program, which supported California EDs to be 24/7 open-access settings to initiate evidence-based treatment for SUDs, such as buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD). Now, CA Bridge is expanding that vision to create access for people unable to present to the ED. Through the CA Bridge Connect platform, the Connect Navigator will connect people interested in MAT and/or harm reduction resources with substance use navigation and a growing network of low-barrier treatment providers.

The CA Bridge Connect Navigator will respond to participant requests (via text, call, or web) and provide navigation and referral services to meet the needs of individuals interested in treatment or resources for opioid use disorder. The Connect Navigator will gather initial participant information about needs and interests, provide empathetic, nonjudgmental support, and, if appropriate, refer participants to rapid MAT and supportive resources.

The full salary range for this position is $70,296 (minimum) to $101,911 (maximum) per year. The typical hiring range for this position is from $70,296 (minimum) to $86,104 (midpoint), based on 1.0 FTE. The starting salary is determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, experience, and budget availability.

Employment Type: Full Time

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• This is a full-time 1.0 FTE position with a schedule of 40 hours per week.
• This position is based in California, working remotely from home, with occasional travel within California.
• To apply, please submit an application attaching an updated resume.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Pilot Launch

• Provide feedback on CA Bridge Connect, including platform user experience and design, functionality, workflows, enhancements, and other considerations
• Conduct early user testing and engage deeply with the platform and related program components to become a "super-user" of CA Bridge Connect
• Provide input on CA Bridge Connect Navigator training, policies and procedures, and any other related documents

Participant Response, Coordination, and Follow-Up Support

• Respond promptly to incoming calls, texts, or chats from individuals seeking treatment or support (platform participants)
• Conduct screenings to understand each participant's unique needs
• Facilitate referrals to treatment resources and prioritize urgent requests for resources
• Engage with participants through telephone, text, and/or web-based communications
• Provide excellent customer service, navigation, and warm handoffs to treatment options and other community resources, including but not limited to local clinics, community-based organizations, street medicine providers, and telehealth resources
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality for each unique participant
• Maintain ongoing support for participants to ensure successful linkage to care

Documentation

• Enter initial screening and follow-up information into the CA Bridge Connect platform
• Maintain real-time participant data, case notes, and referral logs electronically
• Ensure all documentation is compliant with CA Bridge Connect policies and procedures

Culture

• Utilize a non-judgmental and non-biased approach to participants and the community to reinforce evidence-based practices and a harm reduction approach

Collaboration

• Collaborate with Bridge's Clinical, Navigator, Communication, and Operations teams
• Collaborate with community navigators, resources, and potential referral sites
• Provide training support for new CA Bridge Connect Navigators
• Provide ongoing feedback and input on platform and programmatic considerations to strengthen the product and user experience for participants, CA Bridge Connect Navigators, and other team members

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Outreach

• Participate in outreach efforts to increase awareness of the CA Bridge Connect platform
• Support other Bridge Center initiatives to advance rapid MAT services to communities across California

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder, harm reduction, community outreach, or related field
• Bachelor's degree, or substitute with four additional years of related experience

Other Qualifications

• One or more years of experience in substance use navigation preferred
• Prior completion of Mental Health First Aid certification preferred
• Lived experience with substance use disorder and treatment preferred
• Utilization of a non-judgmental, energetic, positive, harm-reductionist approach to assisting people with behavioral health and/or substance use disorder-related needs
• Strong verbal communication skills, experience interviewing individuals on sensitive topics
• Capacity for and commitment to confidential work in a remote environment
• Proficiency in email communication
• Ability to learn new software systems quickly and effectively utilize digital tools to support work responsibilities
• Experience with electronic documentation
• Commitment to advancing social and racial justice
• Demonstrated proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, unhoused individuals, and other marginalized populations
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) STATUS

This position is classified as exempt based on its job duties. However, based on the FTE, salary level of the employee, or federal/state/local laws, the employee may be classified as nonexempt.

PHI/Bridge is committed to advancing social and racial justice through our work with health care systems. We recognize the value of having a staff that brings a wide range of perspectives to this work based on language, ethnicity, race, gender, socioeconomic background, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and disability. We believe the lived experiences of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities and lived experience with substance use are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Public Health Institute is committed to a policy that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and to make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment opportunity. To this end, the PHI will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are offered employment and employees are treated during employment without regard to these characteristics.

For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

To apply for any position, you must create an account on the Public Health Institute's job application site. After creating your account, you may search the open positions and apply for the specific position that interests you. Please note, mailed and emailed applications will not be accepted.

We're so pleased the Public Health Institute is an organization you would like to work with. Do you have questions about this opportunity? If so, email our recruitment team at Recruitment@phi.org.

Additional information about PHI's benefits and compensation offerings can be found here.

The Public Health Institute is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Recruitment Team at least 48 hours in advance at Recruitment@phi.org.