Oat Navigator

**Navigate Complexities. Create Change. Together. This is our purpose at CUPS**. Our unique integrated approach to care empowers people to work holistically to create and achieve goals that support their well-being and builds readiness to navigate and access support in the community. As a formative presence, we work together to build better systems and a stronger community.

Clients depend on us, supporters trust us, and partners count on our collaboration. We do not take this responsibility lightly - we are accountable for our words, our actions, our relationships, and most importantly, ourselves. Through a compassionate lens, we afford every person dignity in their interactions with us. We proactively seek opportunities for continuous learning with open minds and transformative spirits. Through our culture, rooted in our values, we will achieve our purpose and ambition.

The Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Navigator with the CUPS OAT Team will work to engage with clients in various settings to assist client’s rapid access to live-saving opioid agonist treatment, and other supports. The Opioid Agonist Therapy Navigator will provide modeling of healthy recovery habits, support sustained client engagement in the OAT program and will connect participants to CUPS and external agency supports to achieve client goals. This position will support clients by providing emotional and social support through dialogue and shared experience while building trust and rapport with participants. The Opioid Agonist Therapy Navigator will provide safe, quality and client-centred support while reflecting CUPS' shared purpose, ambition, and values.

**Areas of Leadership**:

- Create an approachable, caring and trauma-informed environment for participants, guests and colleagues
- Contribute to the safety and wellness of participants, colleagues and visitors by remaining up to date on CUPS health & safety protocols
- Respect participant dignity by ensuring confidential participant information is handled with the utmost care and respect in alignment with Health Information Protection Act and CUPS privacy protocols & values
- Act as an ambassador of CUPS purpose, ambition and values both internally and externally

**Duties**:

- Community outreach to healthcare facilities, supported housing and other partner organizations including shelters engaging participants to provide accurate and relatable information about Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT)
- Build relationships based on trust that will engage participants in the Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) program when they are ready
- Partner in Participants recovery by accompanying participants to appointments, navigating supports and advocating on their behalf
- Engage with hospital teams, engage in discharge planning and facilitate participant connection to CUPS primary care providers
- Referrals to appropriate resources within CUPS and external resources/partners including direct referrals and advocacy for participants admission to treatment/detox facilities
- Participate in an Advisory role with Local Client Action Committee as scheduled
- Maintain caseload of regular participants and provide support to colleague’s caseloads when unavailable do to so due to training or when on leave
- Assist with research/surveys and completion of Integrated Care Tool with participants
- Maintaining accurate records and documentation of services within health and other databases as directed
- Manage participant crisis situations, engaging multidisciplinary team for support and direction, informing partner agencies as needed and appropriate.
- Support and advocate for clients with connections to housing through Coordinated Access and Assessment.
- Transport clients in personal vehicle as needed to create connections to available services, support client independence to eventually engage with community transportation options
- Attend meetings and trainings (professional development)
- Other duties as assigned

**Stakeholder Relations**:

- Develop & maintain collaborative and supportive working relations with CUPS colleagues to strengthen communication flow and cross-program understanding.
- Provide caring, reliable, and trauma-informed care to all participants accessing CUPS to reduce barriers to service and increase community trust
- Share experience and knowledge with students, volunteers and guests interested in CUPS services

**Background/Skills Required**:

- Life experience in addiction/mental health/homelessness/poverty
- Experience working with individuals/communities experiencing homelessness, poverty, addictions and or mental health concerns
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries
- Demonstration of Kindness, Compassion and Respect
- Ability to maintain good self-care
- Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as on a team
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Awareness of community resources.

**Employee Requirements**:

- Valid Driver’s Lice