Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Care Coordinator chez Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC)

ABOUT US

Hawai’i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) provides harm reduction-focused services to marginalized populations in Hawai’i, including people living with and/or affected by HIV, hepatitis, substance use, homelessness, and the transgender, LGBQ, and the Native Hawaiian communities. HHHRC bridges gaps and helps individuals access essential resources such as housing, health care, entitlements, and treatment. We foster health, wellness, and systemic change in Hawai’i and the Pacific through outreach, care services, advocacy, training, prevention, education, and capacity building.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Care Coordinator is responsible for providing care coordination services to clients diagnosed with opioid use disorder and who are seeking treatment with HHHRC Providers to manage opioid dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Care coordination services primarily focus on medical case management, especially for addressing barriers to care and developing a care/treatment plan to address client identified goals to their treatment from a harm reduction therapeutic framework. This position collaborates closely with community health centers, medical providers, and social service agencies to ensure comprehensive care and treatment for clients.

This is a permanent, full-time, exempt, salaried position with HHHRC located in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Expected hours of work are generally between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, with some evening and weekend attendance for required events. Salary is commensurate with experience.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to:         Behavioral Health Director          

Supervises:          N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop monthly Case Management Report, including number and type of contacts.
• Identify and assess problem areas and provide recommendations to supervisory staff.
• Provide all clients with current and easily understood information relevant to opioids and other drugs.
• Determine client’s eligibility and interest in medical case management services:

1. Ensure all MOUD clients are referred and scheduled for medical follow-up and maintenance.
2. Link client to appropriate medical providers and medical resources.
3. Check insurance eligibility and obtain any necessary referrals and/or client medical records.
4. Assist client in accessing and obtaining any medical care resources available to them.
5. Accompany client to medical appointments related to obtaining or maintaining medical treatment opioid use disorder.

• Collaborate with medical staff to provide needed support for client care/treatment plans.
• Schedule client’s appointments and remind clients of scheduled appointment days/times.
• Ensure all appropriate consents are signed by client if disclosing any information to treatment center staff, case managers, physicians, etc.
• Maintain weekly contact (or as needed) with clients in MOUD treatment to facilitate medication compliance and successful outcomes, using a Treatment Tracking Protocol.
• Determine client’s interest in and need for non-medical case management to address life barriers to care/treatment:

1. Assist client in accessing any available financial resources (SSI, SSDI, Medicare, etc.).
2. Provide referrals for supportive care or other assistance in addressing barriers to care from direct service providers and follow up on referrals, including assisting client in making and keeping needed appointments with other agencies.
3. Meet clients at home visits or at other locations, if requested by client.

• Keep documentation of all client contacts, progress, and goals.

1. Develop, maintain, and update client integrated service plan monthly, including discharge information.

• Maintain and update case management database (active/inactive/discharged cases).
• Preserve relationships with agencies with a significant number of clients who are at high risk for hepatitis infection.
• Collaborate and network with substance abuse treatment centers, community health centers, medical providers, case managers, adult mental health, Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, AIDS service organizations, social service agencies, community leaders, community-based organizations, support groups, advocacy groups, etc.
• Remain vigilant in locating social service or community resources to provide best client case management.
• Maintain regular attendance at all Hep Free Hawaii Meetings.
• Attend community planning group meetings, work closely with other agencies, attend relevant trainings, and stay current on relevant hepatitis research.
• Perform additional duties as needed and assigned. Duties are subject to change.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to a safe, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
• Work as a team with other staff and support team members.
• Maintain appropriate professional and ethical standards while serving as a representative of HHHRC.
• Observe and comply with all rules and regulations – such as HHHRC Code of Conduct, Drug-Free Workplace, Confidentiality – and other administrative policies of HHHRC.
• Abide by all policies and procedures of the HHHRC Health & Safety Program and the Quality Management Program. 
• Comply with HHHRC confidentiality policy, HIPAA requirements, cultural competencies, and rights to persons served, as well as CARF standards.
• Demonstrate steadfast understanding of, and commitment to, the Mission, Vision, and Values of HHHRC. 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Office/clinical environment: indoors, air-conditioned.
• Fieldwork: may be subjected to unpredictable environments with extremes in temperature, noise, odors, weather conditions, etc.
• Long periods of time sitting using office equipment and computers.
• Regular use of computer keyboards, telephone, and operating office equipment.
• Essential physical activities: standing, sitting, walking, finger dexterity, eye-hand coordination, seeing, hearing, speaking, and frequent gripping of an object.
• Occasional physical activities: stooping, bending, squatting, twisting body, and lifting.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of supplies and equipment (up to 25 pounds).
• May be exposed to communicable disease, body fluids, sharps, and chemicals. All appropriate CDC & DOH recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided, if needed.
• May be required to deal with hostile/challenging clients.
• Requires possession of a reliable insured vehicle for traveling to off-site locations and for transporting participants.
• Requires closed-toe shoes during working hours and comfortable and appropriate business- casual attire (walking shorts, and pertinent tee-shirt for scheduled activities/events of the day).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.), databases, and electronic medical records.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively, both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work well and thrive professionally in an atmosphere of significant diversity, working with marginalized populations.
• Non-judgmental attitude and ability to respect the knowledge, actions, and feelings of others.
• Willingness and ability to do outreach and engagement within communities of underserved populations, including but not limited to people living with and/or are affected by substance use, hepatitis, houselessness, and mental health challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member, accept constructive criticism, and provide feedback and support.
• Capability to work well and thrive professionally in an atmosphere of significant diversity, working with marginalized populations.
• Good listening skills, non-judgmental, flexible, and able to handle complex situations/clients.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent work experience.
• One (1) or more years of experience in the human services field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Training in substance use, harm reduction, and dual diagnosis.
• Familiarity with principles of harm reduction and the application of motivational interviewing techniques to support patient chronic disease case management. 

REQUIRED WORK CARDS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid Hawaii Driver’s License and clean three-year (3-year) Driver’s Abstract.
• TB Clearance
• Hep B Clearance and/or Vaccination
• Must pass Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services eligibility screening.

Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.