CHW Wellness Navigator

CommonSpirit Health; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

CommonSpirit Health's Substance Use Navigator role involves interacting with patients in hospital and Emergency Department settings, partnering with the healthcare team, and guiding them to appropriate drug treatment resources.

You will connect patients to outpatient referrals and bridge inpatient care with ongoing substance use treatment, requiring strong communication, compassion, and knowledge of referral pathways.

Qualifications

• Certificate CHW or plan to attain CHW certification within 18 months.
• 1–3 years experience as a Community Health Worker.
• Lived experience related to SUD or behavioral health challenges.

Responsibilities

• Bridge inpatient care and outpatient substance use treatment through collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Identify and connect patients to appropriate drug treatment resources and facilitate outpatient referrals.
• Promote preventative health within behavioral health and address social determinants of health (SDOH).
• Engage patients with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders; advocate for MAT access when appropriate.
• Conduct SDOH screenings and collaborate on a plan of care with the interdisciplinary team.

Skills

CHW communication

Lived experience with SUD

Compassionate care

Education

CHW certification

AA/BA preferred

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Substance Use Navigator, you will be responsible for interacting and working collaboratively with the healthcare team and directly with patients in both the hospital and Emergency Department settings.

Daily, you will diligently find and connect patients to appropriate drug treatment resources and facilitate smooth outpatient clinic referrals. Your primary focus will be bridging the gap between inpatient care and effective, ongoing substance use treatment.

Success in this role requires strong communication skills, a compassionate approach to patient interaction, and a deep understanding of available drug treatment resources and referral pathways.

• Promotes preventative health within the behavioral health population, addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), substance abuse, and behavioral health linkages to promote overall well-being and prevent worsening of conditions
• Identifies and engages patients with substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health disorders building rapport and advocating for low-threshold Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) access.
• Provides social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings within their patient assessment, to identify patient needs related to housing, food security, transportation, safety, and other social factors
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to formulate a plan of care
• Refers to the provider for MAT initiation if appropriate
• Promotes harm reduction strategies based on patients’ goals, preferences, and life circumstances

Job Requirements

Required

• Certificate Other CHW Certification or commitment to attain CHW training and certification within 18 months of becoming employed.
• and 1-3 years 1 year experience in paid or unpaid role as a Community Health Worker.
• Lived experience, personal or loved one, impacted by SUD or other behavioral health challenges, social inequity, or violence.

Preferred

• Associate Of Arts Preferred Education: AA or BA and 1-3 years Experience: Knowledge and ability to work with individuals impacted by adverse conditions, including substance use disorders, mental health challenges, justice involvement, housing instability, Possessing a nonjudgmental, energetic, positive approach to assisting patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Mental Illness , or
• Bachelors Of Arts and 1-3 years Experience: Knowledge and ability to work with individuals impacted by adverse conditions, including substance use disorders, mental health challenges, justice involvement, housing instability, Possessing a nonjudgmental, energetic, positive approach to assisting patients with Substance Use Disorder (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. Additionally, 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.

One Community. One Mission. One California