CHW Wellness Navigator

About the role

As a Substance Use Navigator, you will collaborate with the healthcare team and directly engage with patients in hospital and Emergency Department settings. Daily responsibilities include connecting patients to appropriate drug treatment resources and facilitating outpatient clinic referrals. The role focuses on bridging inpatient care to ongoing substance use treatment, requiring strong communication, compassion, and knowledge of treatment resources and referral pathways.

You will promote preventative health within the behavioral health population by addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), substance abuse, and behavioral health linkages to enhance overall well-being and prevent condition worsening. This includes identifying and engaging patients with substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health disorders, building rapport, and advocating for low-threshold Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) access. You will conduct SDOH screenings to assess needs related to housing, food security, transportation, safety, and other social factors, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop care plans. Referrals to providers for MAT initiation will be made as appropriate, and harm reduction strategies will be promoted based on patients’ goals, preferences, and circumstances.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with healthcare teams and directly with patients in hospital and Emergency Department settings.
• Connect patients to appropriate drug treatment resources and facilitate outpatient clinic referrals.
• Bridge inpatient care to ongoing substance use treatment.
• Promote preventative health within behavioral health populations by addressing SDOH, substance abuse, and behavioral health linkages.
• Identify and engage patients with substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health disorders, building rapport and advocating for low-threshold MAT access.
• Conduct SDOH screenings to assess needs related to housing, food security, transportation, safety, and other social factors.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to formulate care plans and refer patients to providers for MAT initiation when appropriate.
• Promote harm reduction strategies tailored to patients’ goals, preferences, and life circumstances.

Requirements

• Required:
  • Certificate: CHW Certification or commitment to attain CHW training and certification within 18 months of employment.
  • 1–3 years of experience in a paid or unpaid role as a Community Health Worker.
  • Lived experience, either personal or through a loved one, impacted by substance use disorder (SUD), other behavioral health challenges, social inequity, or violence.
• Preferred:
  • Education: Associate of Arts (AA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA).
  • Experience: Knowledge and ability to work with individuals impacted by adverse conditions, including substance use disorders, mental health challenges, justice involvement, and housing instability.
  • Attributes: Possess a nonjudgmental, energetic, and positive approach to assisting patients with SUD and mental illness.

Where You'll Work

Founded in 1973, Dignity Health - Methodist Hospital is a 158-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Sacramento, California. Serving over 80,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II NICU, heart care, cancer care, women’s health, and neurology. Methodist Hospital of Sacramento has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center.

Pay

$28.10 – $41.80 per hour