Health Navigator (CHPLA)

SUMMARY

Founded in 1992, Community Health Project Los Angeles  (CHPLA)’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of people affected by substance use in Los Angeles, to increase access to health care, empower people to protect themselves, and educate each other to reduce harm in our communities. CHPLA combines direct services, advocacy, outreach, education, and research collaborations to fulfill this mission.

The Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) provides harm reduction and syringe access, focusing on disease and overdose prevention. SEP delivers services through outreach and stationary syringe sites within Los Angeles County including Hollywood, Northeast Los Angeles, Pico Union, Skid Row, and South Los Angeles. Through SEP, Clients are provided with the materials and knowledge needed to reduce sharing of contaminated injection equipment, including risk reduction supplies and condoms. The ultimate goal of SEP is to reduce HIV and HCV infections, prevent opioid overdose, decrease risk of skin and soft tissue infections and increase access to primary care. SEP serves the most marginalized and highest risk populations in Los Angeles and is the heart of what CHPLA represents.

The Health Navigator reports to CHPLA’s Assistant Director of HCS. This position will be responsible for outreaching, identifying, and linking clients to supportive services including but not limited to MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) providers, primary medical providers, psychiatric services, Hepatitis C and HIV testing and treatment and drug treatment services. The Health Navigator will be accountable for collaborating with fellow providers in order to promote participant engagement and provide continuity of care. Ongoing responsibilities include supportive interventions for care retention, including care coordination, assessing client needs and goals, identifying barriers in accessing services, data collection, and documentation transcribing the overall care of the client.

This is a full time benefitted position (40 hours per week).

Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

The pay rate for this position is $29.25 per hour. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Become well versed in Syringe Exchange activities and participate in outreach and stationary site shifts
• Work with existing field staff to identify potential candidates for linkage in to supportive and health services
• Through outreach activities, identify clients who are interested and would benefit from linkage to supportive and health services.
• Assess client needs, with obtained information refer and link to outside service providers as appropriate
• Educate clients on services of interest and need, treatment courses, risks and health outcomes of certain behaviors
• Engage with clients to establish and maintain a working relationship
• Assess client for health insurance and identification documentation
• Develop and maintain positive collaboration with partnered providers to provide ongoing support for the client and continuity of care
• In collaboration with the client, asses and develop an Individual Service plan addressing client risks and interventions
• Provide additional referrals/resources/ guidance as needed (i.e. substance use treatment, shelters, mental health or medical care)
• Attend treatment planning meetings with partnered providers for the purpose of care coordination
• Report out on program and participant achievements and challenges to supervisor and partnered providers
• Provide support to clients with medication initiation and ongoing support with the focus on treatment retention
• Advocate to providers about caring for patients experiencing homelessness (i.e. week-long medication prescriptions to minimize impact of loss or theft)
• Distribute safe drug use supplies and overdose prevention kits when necessary
• Assess and identify ongoing barriers to services and support client with overcoming these barriers including stolen/lost medications, scheduling appointments, lack of phone access, etc.
• Assess for side effects of medication and report to provider for alterations
• Develop and maintain client files and other necessary reporting for assigned caseload according to contract requirements
• Enter notes and eligible data into client files within 24-48 hours of client contact
• Participate in work flow of office operations and field work preparations
• Attend all staff meetings, program meetings and trainings as required

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Other duties as assigned

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required, undergraduate degree preferred
• Experience or field work serving people who use drugs, people at-risk for overdose, and/or vulnerable populations.
• Understanding of substance use and harm reduction strategies along with a demonstrated passion and understanding for serving chronically homeless populations with co-occurring disorders.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid California Class C driver’s license required
• Must legally be able to drive company vehicles to various locations across Los Angeles
• Background check clearance required.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Commitment to overall mission of CHPLA and program goals.
• Knowledge of low threshold medications for addiction treatment, basic knowledge of HIV and HCV, overdose prevention, use of Naloxone preferred
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and public speaking skills, with the ability to effectively relate to staff and clients from a variety of cultures, languages and educational backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain regular and timely attendance
• Ability and willingness to work some evenings and other non-traditional hours as needed
• Ability to remain positive and composed, despite working in a high stress and high demand environment
• Able to travel and work in the field as needed
• Ability to maintain HIPPA guidelines
• Demonstrate sensitivity addressing the needs of underserved community members from diverse communities
• Understanding of harm reduction approach, practice, and philosophies
• Comfortable providing quality and compassionate care for the populations served by the program (i.e. people who use drugs, people who inject drugs, people who engage in sex work, people without stable housing, low or no-income, LGBTQ+)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand                                      Frequently

Walk                                       Frequently

Sit                                           Frequently

Handling / Fingering            Occasionally

Reach Outward                    Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder      Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry                              Occasionally - Up to 25 lbs.

Push/Pull                               Occasionally - Up to 25 lbs.

See                                         Constantly

Taste/ Smell                          Not Applicable

Not Applicable          Not required for essential functions

Occasionally             (0 - 2 hrs./day)

Frequently                 (2 - 5 hrs./day)

Constantly                 (5+ hrs./day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled. Some field work may be required.

Staff may encounter environmental hazards such as stray animals, moving vehicles, high-crime areas, and individuals who may be aggressive or in crisis. The position requires collaboration with team members and community partners, frequent local travel, and the ability to work in unpredictable or high-pressure situations. Work may occur outdoors and may involve exposure to weather conditions, noise, odors, fumes, pollen, and other environmental factors common to field-based outreach work. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Interested candidates should submit a resume for consideration. 

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.