Patient Navigator- Peer Specialist

San Francisco, CA, United States

Patient Navigator- Peer Specialist

MED-ZSFG-HOSP

Full Time

78710BR

Job Summary

UCSF Department of Medicine's Addiction Care Team (ACT) is hiring a Peer Specialist to join the Division of Hospital Medicine (DHM) at Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG). ACT is an interdisciplinary consultation service for hospitalized patients at ZSFG who use alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. ACT provides compassionate, evidence-based addiction care, focusing on linkage to treatment for people with addiction.

The consult service works with hospital-based medical teams to initiate evidenced-based services for addiction, help diagnose addiction, provide motivational interviewing, offer harm reduction services to patients, and assist in care coordination that is tailored to patients' goals and needs. The service is staffed by an attending physician, patient navigators, licensed vocational nurses, nurse practitioners, a social worker, addiction medicine fellows, and other trainees.

The population at ZSFG includes low-income medically / psychiatrically compromised individuals who reside in San Francisco. Patients include a large proportion of underserved African-American/Black, Latinx, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, and pregnant and post-partum people.

The Peer Specialist will help ACT patients cope with the difficulties that can arise during hospitalization. This includes supporting patients through difficult feelings (isolation, anxiety, sadness), experiences of stigma, concerns over self-discharge, alcohol, opioid, and stimulant withdrawal, in hospital substance use, and other situations. The Peer Specialist will also help patients identify goals, such as Hepatitis C treatment and housing needs, and connect them with resources when indicated. They will primarily spend time with patients, and be able to provide motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and overall support during hospitalization. They will check on patients during initiations of medications for opioid use disorder and opioid withdrawal - as well as other withdrawal syndromes - and support patients with prolonged hospitalizations. They will facilitate connection to clinics for follow-up care and document daily in the electronic health record. The Peer Specialist will work closely with hospital staff, nurses, patient navigators, physicians, and ACT members.

Individuals who are motivated, independent, multi-taskers, function under fast-paced and sometimes stressful environments, and have excellent communication will thrive in this job.

Funding is available through July 31, 2026.

The Peer Specialist serves as a hospital resource and liaison for patients and their families. Assists with navigating hospitalization. Uses knowledge of the unit or clinic to resolve issues and identify ways to increase patient satisfaction. Collaborates with department managers to meet patient expectations, achieve quality outcomes and build a patient focused culture.

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

To see the salary range for this position (we recommend that you make a note of the job code and use that to look up): TCS Non-Academic Titles Search (https://tcs.ucop.edu/non-academic-titles)

Please note: An offer will take into consideration the experience of the final candidate AND the current salary level of individuals working at UCSF in a similar role.

For roles covered by a bargaining unit agreement, there will be specific rules about where a new hire would be placed on the range.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Department Description

The Division of Hospital Medicine (DHM) at Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) is a division of the Department of Medicine (DOM) established in 2007 by six founding faculty members. Since its founding, the DHM has grown to 35+ core faculty dedicated to patient care, teaching, quality improvement, and research. There is an addition of 10 affiliated physicians and eight staff (including Nurse Practitioners-NPs).

DHM faculty provide patient care at ZSFG on the following inpatient services: general medicine, medicine consult, orthopedic surgery co-management, support and palliative care, and geriatric consults on the multi-disciplinary ACE unit. Although primarily focused on inpatient patient care, the DHM also provides outpatient and community-based palliative care services as well as primary care for recently discharged patients lacking primary care providers. In January 2019, the DHM launched ACT.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related area and three or more years of relevant experience and / or equivalent experience / training

Has experience navigating their own journey with substances, or has been a supportive of a friend, loved one, or family member to a person with a substance use disorder.

Strong skills to comprehend and assess patient's grievances to quickly locate appropriate resource for assistance

Strong interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to communicate and resolve issues effectively with a diverse population of patients, staff and physicians. Abilitiy to effectively and quickly develop rapport with a diverse group of patients and care providers

Strong commitment to caring for vulnerable and diverse people who may be experiencing homelessness, and have histories of chronic illnesses, substance abuse, and mental health issues

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to develop solutions and recommend changes and follow through with implementation

Prompt and excellent written and verbal communication skills

Proficiency with Windows-based software including Microsoft word, Excel, Outlook. Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area

Strong knowledge of data collection, compilation, and analytical techniques. Proficiency in mathematical skills

Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team

Demonstrated record of attendance and punctuality

Ability to learn and apply medical and scientific terminology and concepts

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) certification

Experience linking patients to primary care and addiction treatment, helping patients troubleshoot logistical challenges by phone and email after discharge, and accompanying patients to outpatient appointments until they are stable in treatment or linked to an outpatient navigator.

Spanish, Cantonese, or other language proficiencies

Experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol in San Francisco or other urban environment

Experience working in hospital or community-based settings

In-depth knowledge of the organization and how to get issues resolved

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Organization

Campus

Job Code and Payroll Title

004198 PAT NAVGTR NON-CLIN 3

Job Category

Professional (Non-Clinical), Support Services

Bargaining Unit

99 - Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit)

Employee Class

Contract

Percentage

100%

Appointment End Date

31-Jul-2026

Location

Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG)

Shift

Days, Weekends

Shift Length

8 Hours

Additional Shift Details

Combination of weekday and weekends, 8am-5pm