Substance Use Navigator (SUN)F

Job Description Summary

This full time position is for a Substance Use Navigator (SUN) who will be a core member of a collaborative care team. The team includes Penn Medicine on Demand clinicians (PMOD), the PI and CO PI, program manager, and CRS Director. The Substance use navigator will be part of a partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Office of Public Safety project expanding SUN navigation services in various settings.

This individual will rapidly connect patients, develop relationships with community groups/agencies, and update and expand resources within Penn and with community practices. The SUN will manage their own caseload of patients by providing recovery education, maintaining contact in‑person, by phone or e‑mail, and providing re‑engagement support as needed. They will assist patients in identifying interests, goals, and strengths, link them to resources, and help them overcome barriers to accessing care.

• Assess patient needs and navigate to appropriate resources. Support patients in the continuum of care.
• Follow patients throughout the care continuum, facilitate and expedite appointments for follow‑up and acute care, consults and support services including behavioral health clinicians, social workers, physicians, community agencies, etc. Serve as an essential link between patients and all other care providers and clinical and research staff.
• Documentation, collaboration with team, and training.
• Maintain and expand communication with clinical partners to raise awareness of the resource.
• Outreach to Penn departments and community partners to update and expand resources. Establish and maintain relationships with Philadelphia’s buprenorphine resources and targeted organizations and utilize those relationships to maintain a working knowledge of surrounding resources including visiting referral facilities.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor of Science and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• A degree in behavioral health, nursing, or related field is preferred. Must have 2 or more years of prior behavioral health experience and knowledge of behavioral health resources.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting.
• Ability to work with patients by telephone and in‑person.
• Ability to supervise others.
• Ability to quickly assimilate new information in a fast paced work environment with enthusiasm.
• Well organized and demonstrates skill in prioritizing competing job duties.
• Ability to utilize computer software (Word, Outlook, Excel).

Special interest in those who have previous experience working in community‑based substance use organization or in under‑resourced settings.

This position is contingent upon grant funding.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Perelman School of Medicine

$52,500.00 - $53,000.00 Annual Rate

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.