Patient Navigator

Patient Navigator 3

Psych-ZSFG-Adult-SAAM

The Substance Use Disorder Patient Navigator will provide transitional support to individuals struggling with Opioid Use Disorder who are currently in custody and/or recently released from San Francisco County Jails. The Navigators will enroll and serve 200 patients over the 5‑year grant period individually and in group settings with a focus on harm reduction counseling and opioid treatment linkage. Navigators will work in the jails and at the OBIC Clinic, located at 1380 Howard Street.

Their ultimate goal will be to connect patients with a provider in the community who can continue their medication treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. Other objectives that Project JUNO Community will focus on are to decrease the risk of overdose and other substance‑use related comorbidities, improve physical and mental health, improve employment and housing status, and improve social connectedness for patients up to 6 months after release.

Navigators will also administer standardized questionnaires at intake, 3 months, 6 months, and at program discharge.

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. The salary range for this position is $66,900 - $100,400 (Annual Rate).

The UCSF Department of Psychiatry at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG) is dedicated to providing culturally competent services to the diverse patient population we serve. The Division of Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine (DSAAM) provides multidisciplinary consultation and treatment for patients with substance use disorders at San Francisco General Hospital. DSAAM offers opiate replacement therapy for heroin and other opiate addiction through the Opiate Treatment Outpatient Program (OTOP) at Ward 93, a proven effective methadone treatment program.

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and minimum three years of experience or equivalent experience/training.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills to quickly locate appropriate resources for patients.
• Ability to communicate and resolve issues effectively with a diverse population of patients, staff, and physicians.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills; ability to develop solutions and recommend changes and follow through with implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong aptitude to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services; diplomatic, highly organized, and able to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong skills to work as part of a team, prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and work independently in a fast‑paced, demanding environment with minimal supervision.
• Strong familiarity with community resources, organizations, and harm reduction practices.
• Strong ability to uphold professional boundaries at all times.
• Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability.

• Registration with a California‑approved Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Organization (). Completed counselor certification may be provided in lieu of counselor registration.
• In‑depth knowledge of the organization and how to obtain issue resolution.
• Proficiency with Windows‑based software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook; knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area.
• Training and experience in delivering behavioral health interventions to persons with substance use disorders and conducting point‑of‑care urine drug screens with fidelity to established policies and procedures.
• Ability to speak, write, and understand Spanish.
• Familiarity with supportive counseling strategies (Motivational Interviewing, Wellness & Recovery Principles, Harm Reduction, Trauma‑informed care, and more).
• Strong knowledge of Patient Rights & Responsibilities, Joint Commission standards, and Centers for Medicare/Medicaid regulations.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and strong knowledge of data collection, compilation, and analytical techniques.

• Nine‑hour law/ethics and confidentiality online course to be completed through CCAAP upon…