UMC Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Liaison

Job Code: SUDLIA - 111
Revision Date: November 04, 2026

Starting Salary: $18.59 hourly; $38,667 annually

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Overview

We are an agency committed to innovative behavioral health services in trauma-informed care that promote healing and recovery to instill a sense of empowerment and foster a lifelong sense of resilience.

General Description

The purpose of this job is to act as the primary Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Liaison for the agency and facilitate the smooth transition of clients from the El Paso County Hospital District d/b/a University Medical Center (UMC) of El Paso to community-based services.

The SUD Liaison will respond to UMC referral at their facility who has overdosed or is experiencing a substance use disorder, complete an assessment, and refer the individual to appropriate treatment, recovery, and overdose prevention services.

The SUD Liaison will provide case management for referred clients for the duration of 90 days.

This role is grounded in overdose prevention, motivational interviewing, and trauma informed principles, and the caseload and outreach focus is limited specifically to SUD clients identified through UMC referrals.

This class works under close to general supervision according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position, as necessary.

• Respond to and complete an assessment for all UMC initiated referrals received, with response initiated within the timeframe established in the UMC callout protocol.
• Provide case management for referred clients for a duration of 90 days consistent with the EHN's Caseworker I classification.
• Generate quarterly reports tracking referral volume, response time, assessment completion, referral disposition, and follow-up outcomes.
• Stay updated on changes to TAC rules and implement them in daily practice to ensure full compliance with state requirements.
• Maintains compliance with all Joint Commission training requirements relevant to job duties, including but not limited to those dealing with the use of restraints and physical holding of individuals receiving services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Sciences or related behavioral field; or possession of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Minimum of two years of experience in mental health care, case management, or related fields, supplemented by one (1) year of experience with chemical dependency treatment is preferred.

Experience with trauma-informed services; cognitive behavioral therapies, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); and motivational therapies including the use of incentives, preferred.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of trauma-informed theories, principals, and practices (includes multi-faceted understanding of concepts such as community trauma, intergenerational and historical trauma, parallel processes, and universal precautions), preferred.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with clients, families, healthcare professionals, and community service providers.

Strong organizational and documentation skills, with attention to detail and compliance with regulatory standards.

Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Physical Demands

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

• Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
• Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
• Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
• Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
• Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
• Traffic; Moving machinery.
• Electrical shock; Heights.
• Radiation; Disease/pathogens.
• Toxic/caustic chemicals; Explosives; Violence.
• Other extreme hazards not listed above.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Must be able to be credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Practitioner Community Service (QMHP-CS) within the timeframe designated by EHN.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be able to pass a TB, criminal background, and drug screen.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance (ADA)

Emergence Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Emergence Health Network to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Other Job Characteristics

• Staffing requirements, including criteria that staff have diverse disciplinary backgrounds, have necessary State required license and accreditation, and are culturally and linguistically trained to serve the needs of the clinic's patient population.
• Credentialed, certified, and licensed professionals with adequate training in person-centered, family-centered, trauma informed, culturally-competent and recovery-oriented care.
• Responsible for adhering to the EHN common purpose and service framework to continuously provide exceptional care to all constituents.

Note: This Class Description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Emergence Health Network and an employee and is subject to change by the Emergence Health Network as its needs change.