City of Portland - Community Health Promotion Specialist-Patient Navigator

Start Date: June 23, 2025 | End Date: July 07, 2025
County: Cumberland County
Job Type: Other
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City of Portland - Community Health Promotion Specialist-Patient Navigator

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALIST-PATIENT NAVIGATOR

Health & Human Services Department, Public Health Division
 

About the City of Portland HHS:

Come do good work with us! The Health & Human Services Department consists of four unique divisions; Barron Center, Elder Affairs, Public Health, and Social Services. We strive to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of Portland in collaboration with our community, state, and federal partners.
 

Job Summary:
The City of Portland is seeking a qualified individual for a Patient Navigator role. This is a full-time project position in the Harm Reduction Services Program for the Public Health Division. This position is funded by a state grant and is designed to provide outreach and supportive connections to individuals impacted by opioid and/or stimulant use disorder. Other responsibilities will include providing overdose prevention, recognition, and response trainings, distributing naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and wound care kits to people who use drugs, as well as to partner with organizations in communities throughout greater Portland. This person will work collaboratively with the Harm Reduction Services Program to disseminate information and supplies, as well as with a data specialist to develop and maintain a database of client utilizations of services. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively.
 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Staff program services during business hours, including coverage of our Syringe Service Program and providing outreach to clients experiencing homelessness.

• Meet with clients to discuss their goals related to health, housing, and basic needs, and help make referrals on their behalf.

• Connect with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and housing providers in order to develop referral relationships for clients.

• Provide trainings to community and healthcare partners on the principles of harm reduction and overdose prevention.

• Input client data into a database in a timely manner, maintaining confidentiality of the client and services provided.

• Prepare written materials about harm reduction and available services for social media and/or community utilization.

• Work with high-risk targeted population groups on health-specific risk reduction interventions based upon program-identified needs.

• Assist individuals to carry out plans of care developed by health care providers and make necessary adaptations so that treatment plans can be followed, especially for medication for opioid use disorder.

• Performs related work as required.

Required Skills & Experience:

• High School completion is required.

• A minimum two years of community-based experience in the field of harm reduction, public health, and/or substance use disorder treatment and recovery.

• Ability to communicate clearly with individuals and larger groups about available harm reduction and healthcare services.

• Knowledge and skills in the methods of health education and promotion, including social media promotion for public health.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community members, providers, physicians, public health staff, and consumers.

• De-escalation and conflict management skills.

• Ability to review client records and maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to facilitate communication between clients and health care providers.

• Experience using personal computers, tablets, and data based software.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in public health, health education, or related field strongly encouraged.

• Experience working with target populations is highly desirable.

• Strong oral and written communication skills are essential

• Experience working with homeless population

• Comprehensive understanding of the cultural norms and a command of the language of the target population.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Must possess a valid State of Maine Driver's license and maintain a good driving record

• Must have access to a vehicle for work with the ability to do outreach and travel to healthcare organizations, clients homes, and community providers

• Must provide, as required by State of Maine law, verification of MMR immunity status within the first 30 days of employment.

Expected Hours/Schedule: Full-Time (37.5 hours/week), Project position - Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm.

Applications accepted until July 7, 2025.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:
This is a union position - Pro Tech, Grade 6 - $26.27 - $28.71/hour depending on experience.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment.

City benefits include:

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives

• Thirteen paid holidays

• Sick, vacation, and personal leave

• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan

• Dental, vision and income protection insurances

• Use of City recreation facilities

• Fitness Reimbursement

• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at [email protected] or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email [email protected].

To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/6315108