Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Navigator

The Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Navigator works to facilitate access for substance using clients to medication-assisted treatment, primary medical care, and other services reducing harm surrounding substance use, including accidental overdose. This person is responsible for conducting outreach as well as onsite services, providing supportive counseling to participants, and following up with clients to support their treatment progression and adherence.

The MAT Navigator should understand the social determinants of health and how they impact our clients. The MAT Resource Navigator must be able to work independently and show excellent judgment related to client issues and needs, while also working in conjunction with the Harm Reduction Program Team to advance recruitment of new clients and support client retention and treatment adherence. The job involves direct client contact with diverse, high-risk individuals, many of whom are active substance users, and involves substantial community outreach. Regular and predictable attendance is required.

• Provide linkage to medication assisted treatment (MAT) accessed via telehealth and in-person modalities.
• Provide overdose prevention support, education & linkage to pre-treatment, treatment, detox, housing, health, and social services as appropriate.
• Build rapport, provide supportive counseling, and discuss/address barriers preventing client linkages to MAT and primary medical care.
• Provide follow-up with clients to assist with MAT adherence.
• Empower and educate clients to make informed decisions regarding their utilization of relevant services.
• Provide support such as escorting clients to appointments and accessing linkages to other relevant services.
• Conduct case finding outings such as home visits, shelter visits, cell phone check-ins, etc.
• Serve as contact person for linkage to care MAT referrals. Provide referrals to clients as needed and maintain referral information.
• Maintain a relationship with all clients after linkage to care through periodic follow-up defined by client needs. Provide follow-up for clients not returning to receive services.
• Conduct street outreach in settings where clients gather. Participate in mobile outreach services to (SRO) hotels and other community spaces where unhoused clients reside and gather.
• Document and maintain client records for services provided in accordance with all state and federal privacy laws. Submit monthly activity reports and data.
• Adhere to professional boundaries and standards. Understands and follows basic ethics, values, and principles of case management regulatory practices. Adhere to all laws and requirements regarding HIPAA, confidentiality, child protective services, contractual agreements, etc.
• Assist with maintaining the Program’s databases. Assist with preparing outreach materials.
• Assist with coordinating Special Events to promote MAT, linkages to care, health and wellness, prevention education, pre-treatment, treatment, and detox, etc.
• Provide group education and organizational presentations about public health practices appropriate for harm reduction clients & overdose prevention.
• Assist with other Harm Reduction Programs & Health Access activities, including syringe access services (SAS) and other provision of safe using supplies & overdose prevention education and services.

• Experience navigating or working in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) modalities and systems of care and/or relevant work-related experience in social or health fields preferred.
• Knowledge of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) modalities and systems of care in San Francisco and/or relevant knowledge of social or health related community services.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and methods, principles of counseling and health education, basic social needs, problems, attitudes and behavioral patterns, basic principles of health promotion, disease prevention, and preventive health care.
• Ability to plan and implement outreach objectives and activities, collect data and prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered during outreach work, in other GLIDE programs, outside agencies, and with the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and show appropriate decision making while working to meet the demands and needs of a client-centered environment.
• Ability to maintain an objective attitude and to exercise sound judgment in the application of services.
• Understands and accepts differences in attitudes toward health problems.
• Ability to work professionally and ethically, including ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy of persons, documents, data, and communications.
• Demonstrates Cultural Humility. Has the ability to work effectively across cultures. Demonstrates a commitment to learning, communicating, and working respectfully with people different from themselves.
• Commitment to the mission, values and philosophy of GLIDE.     

• 1-2 years work or volunteer experience providing harm reduction or health education services, treatment or pre-treatment services, including MAT linkage and navigation, to similar populations or equivalent combination of education & experience.
• Familiarity with the social determinant of health and how they impact people experiencing homelessness and other marginalized populations.
• Experience with working in “street-based” outreach situations.
• Experience working with drug users and providing harm reduction & health education interventions, including linkage to social and substance use treatment and housing opportunities, as appropriate.
• Experience working with homeless populations in a culturally appropriate way.
• Experience working with people who are diverse in sexual identity and orientation, ethnicity, race, living with HCV/HIV, and other perceived differences.
• MAT Navigator will be trained to administer HIV/HCV and STI tests and required to participate in testing events as needed. 

• CA Rapid HIV/HCV Testing certification and/or desire to be trained to acquire CA Rapid HIV/HCV certification as required.                        

GLIDE is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. People of color, differently abled people and LGBT persons are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Salary : $24 - $28