Patient Navigator
Job Summary UCSF Department of Medicine's Addiction Care Team (ACT) is hiring a Patient Navigator (PN) to join the Division of Hospital Medicine (DHM) at Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG). ACT is a service for emergency department and hospitalized patients at ZSFG with unhealthy alcohol, drug, and tobacco use. 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 medication services for addiction, help diagnose addiction, provide motivational interviewing and harm reduction to patients, and assist in care coordination that is tailored to patient goals and needs. The service is staffed by an attending physician, patient navigators, licensed vocational nurses, a nurse practitioner, 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 PN supports patients during and after hospitalization to help them navigate the systems challenges. PN responsibilities include providing brief interventions, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, linkage to primary care and addiction treatment (including outpatient group and residential addiction treatment), helping patients troubleshoot logistical challenges after discharge, and at times accompanying patients to outpatient appointments until they are stable in treatment or linked to an outpatient navigator. The PN works closely with hospital staff, nurses, other patient navigators, and physicians.
Individuals who are motivated, independent, multi-taskers, function under fast-paced and sometimes stressful environments, and have excellent communication will thrive in this job.
The Patient Navigator serves as a hospital and community clinic resource and liaison for patients and their families. Assists with navigating all aspects of the healthcare system. 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. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. The salary range for this position is $66,900 - $100,400 (Annual Rate). 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 / or equivalent experience / training
- Experience linking patients to primary care and addiction treatment, helping patients troubleshoot logistical challenges by phone and email after discharge, and accompanying
- 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. Ability 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
- In-depth knowledge of the organization and how to get issues resolved
- Experience working in hospital or community-based settings
- Experience working with people who use drugs and alcohol in San Francisco or other urban environment
- Spanish, Cantonese, or other language proficiencies
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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Job Code and Payroll Title 004198 PAT NAVGTR NON-CLIN 3 Job Category Professional (Non-Clinical), Rehabilitation Services Bargaining Unit 99 - Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit) Location San Francisco, CA Campus Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) Additional Shift Details Hours: 8AM - 5PM PST - Combination of weekday and weekends |
University of California - San Francisco Campus and Health
Jun 27, 2025