Substance Use Navigator - Emergency Department

About the role

Ochsner Health is hiring a Substance Use Navigator (SUN) for its Emergency Department in New Orleans. The SUN acts as a front-line resource for patients with substance use disorders, offering compassionate, non-judgmental support and helping them link quickly to treatment, harm reduction services and community resources. The role may involve variable shifts, including overnights, weekends and holidays.

Key responsibilities

• Engage ED patients with substance use concerns using trauma-informed, person-centered approaches and build trust, including with patients in crisis or ambivalent about treatment.
• Perform SBIRT (screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment).
• Educate patients and families on substance use disorder, harm reduction and treatment options.
• Facilitate real-time referrals and warm handoffs to inpatient/outpatient treatment, MAT providers, peer support and community resources.
• Coordinate with ED clinicians, social workers, case managers and behavioral health teams on care plans.
• Document interactions and referrals in the electronic health record and help with post-discharge follow-up.
• Take part in team meetings, case reviews and program improvement, and track referral completion and repeat ED utilization metrics.

Required profile

• High school diploma or GED; associate's or bachelor's degree in social services, behavioral health, public health or a related field preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in healthcare, behavioral health, social services, community outreach or a related area.
• Experience in an emergency department, crisis, behavioral health, addiction treatment, peer support or case management setting; familiarity with MAT referral pathways.
• Experience with populations facing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, justice involvement or other social needs.
• Preferred: personal lived experience of substance use and recovery, or experience supporting a loved one.
• Preferred certifications: Certified Peer Support Specialist, Community Health Worker, SBIRT training, crisis de-escalation training.

Required skills

• Knowledge of substance use disorder, recovery principles and harm reduction strategies.
• Strong communication and motivational interviewing skills; ability to work with diverse patients in high-stress settings.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and accurate documentation.
• Ability to recognize safety concerns and escalate crises per department protocol.