CHW Wellness Navigator

Dignity Health; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Dignity Health’s Methodist Hospital in Sacramento is seeking a Substance Use Navigator to collaborate with the healthcare team and directly assist patients in hospital and Emergency Department settings. The role focuses on connecting patients to drug treatment resources and facilitating outpatient referrals.

Key duties include promoting preventative health, engaging patients with SUD or co-occurring disorders, conducting SDOH screenings, and coordinating with the care team to bridge inpatient

Qualifications

• Certificate or commitment to attain CHW training and certification within 18 months of employment.
• 1–3 years of paid or unpaid experience as a Community Health Worker.
• Lived experience, personal or loved one, impacted by SUD or related challenges.

Responsibilities

• Promotes preventative health within the behavioral health population and addresses social determinants of health (SDOH).
• Identifies and engages patients with substance use disorder and advocates for MAT access.
• Performs SDOH screenings to identify housing, food security, transportation, safety, and other needs.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to formulate a plan of care.
• Refers patients to providers for MAT initiation when appropriate.
• Promotes harm reduction strategies aligned with patient goals and life circumstances.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

CHW experience

Education

CHW certification

Lived experience

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

Pay Range$28.10 – $41.80 /hour