Grants - BH - Traditional Healer

San Diego American Indian Health Center; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

San Diego American Indian Health Center seeks a Qualified Traditional Healer to provide culturally grounded healing and spiritual support for AI/AN patients. The role collaborates with clinical teams in a holistic approach while maintaining confidentiality and honoring traditional practices.

You will lead individual and group healing activities, coordinate with care teams for SAPTA-funded services, and ensure compliant documentation and reporting across programs.

Qualifications

• Must be recognized as a Traditional Healer, Medicine Person, or Natural Helper by local tribal/community health entities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Native American healing practices, ceremonies, and cultural protocols.
• Ability to engage respectfully with diverse AI/AN populations and urban communities.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual healing sessions using traditional methods such as smudging, prayer, energy work, storytelling, and plant medicines.
• Lead or participate in group healing activities and cultural education sessions.
• Provide spiritual guidance and cultural mentorship to AI/AN patients and families.
• Collaborate with care coordinators to identify patients who may benefit from traditional healing services, including SAPTA-funded projects.
• Manage confidential documentation for grant reporting and Medi-Cal billing in line with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

Skills

Cultural sensitivity

Communication

Flexibility

Interpersonal skills

Job description

San Diego American Indian Health Center, 2630 First Avenue, San Diego, California, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 7:00 AM

We are an FQHC community health center dedicated to embodying the values central to American Indian cultures. This includes respect for our patients, acknowledgement of the whole person, and a focus on working together to ensure health for the individual, and therefore the community. We invite persons of all tribes, ethnic backgrounds and walks of life to experience the comprehensive care we deliver and to contribute to the services we provide for children, youth, families, adults, and elders.

The Traditional Healer provides culturally grounded healing services rooted in Native American traditions and practices. This role supports the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients by offering traditional healing in coordination with clinical and behavioral health services. The Traditional Healer works collaboratively with the care team to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. When funded under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPTA) Grant, the Traditional Healer provides culturally responsive traditional healing as a component of substance use disorder (SUD) prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, in coordination with licensed clinical and behavioral health staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary Functions:

• Conduct individual healing sessions using culturally appropriate methods such as smudging, prayer, energy work, storytelling, plant medicines, traditional counseling, and more.
• Conduct healing sessions utilizing an array of interventions including music therapy (such as traditional music and songs, dancing, drumming), spirituality (such as ceremonies, rituals, herbal remedies) and other integrative approaches.

Primary Functions: continue

3. Lead or participate in group activities such as talking circles, recovery-focused healing circles (e.g., Wellbriety/Red Road), sweat lodge ceremonies, seasonal ceremonies, or cultural education sessions.

4. Provide spiritual guidance and cultural mentorship to AI/AN patients and families, supporting their connection to tradition, identity, and wellness.

5. Work collaboratively with care coordinators and case managers to identify patients who may benefit from traditional healing services, including patients receiving SUD prevention, treatment, or recovery services and SAPTA Grant priority populations

6. Maintain respectful, confidential documentation of services as required for grant or Medi-Cal billing (in coordination with AB 1115 guidelines), using culturally sensitive language. Complete required grant data collection and reporting within required timeframes and maintain records in compliance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 (confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records).

7. Assist with developing and maintaining policies, procedures, and program materials related to traditional healing services.

8. Coordinate or participate in community outreach events, wellness gatherings, powwows, or cultural education programs to promote visibility and access to traditional healing.

9. Support ceremonies for grief and loss, recovery, coming of age, or other life transitions as requested and culturally appropriate.

10. Protect the confidentiality and sacredness of cultural knowledge; ensure teachings and practices are shared only with consent and in culturally respectful ways.

11. Participate in quality improvement efforts, program evaluation, and periodic meetings with leadership or advisory committees.

12. Provide traditional healing as an adjunct not a substitute for—clinical behavioral health and SUD treatment, in coordination with licensed clinical staff under the direction of the Behavioral Health Director.

13. Ensure that patient participation in spiritual or ceremonial components of care is voluntary and that patients are informed of their right to decline such services; coordinate with Finance so that time spent on inherently religious activities is allocated to non-federal funding sources, consistent with SAMHSA Charitable Choice requirements (42 CFR Part 54/54a).

14. Provide traditional healing services in collaboration with Western medical, dental, and behavioral health providers, participating in shared care planning and mutual referrals to ensure patients receive integrated care that honors both traditional practices and evidence-based clinical treatment.

15. Other Duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications below represent the required knowledge, skills, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Recognized as a Traditional Healer, Medicine Person, or Natural Helper by San Diego Community Indian Health Center
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Native American healing practices, ceremonies, and cultural protocols.
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse tribal backgrounds and urban AI/AN populations.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, particularly across cultural and generational lines.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Affiliation with or endorsement by tribal organizations or cultural councils.
• Experience working in a health, behavioral health, or community wellness setting.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health and historical trauma affecting Native communities.
• Basic understanding of Medi-Cal or IHS service documentation, or willingness to learn.

Working Conditions:

• May involve indoor and outdoor activities, including participation in ceremonies or gatherings.
• Occasional travel may be required to provide services at events or satellite locations.
• May involve contact with smoke, sacred herbs, or ceremonial instruments.

Language Skills: Able to communicate professionally in person and in writing.

Preferred:

• Experience serving a multinational, multicultural population.
• Familiarity with Community Health Clinics and/or Indian Health Clinics.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English a plus.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Maintains a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and current auto insurance in accordance with state requirements.
• Possesses reliable and insured transportation suitable for work-related travel as needed.
• CPR/ BLS certification: Maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross, or an equivalent organization. Certification must include an in-person, hands-on skills assessment. Online-only certifications are not accepted.
• Annual background checks: Consent to annual background checks as a condition of continued employment, to ensure compliance with organizational standards and eligibility requirements.
• For-Cause Drug Screening: Comply with drug screening requirements when initiated by the organization for cause, to support a safe, compliant, and drug-free workplace.
• Ongoing Compliance Requirements: Maintain up-to-date compliance with all required annual renewals, including professional licenses, certifications, physical examinations, TB testing, and mandatory regulatory trainings as assigned by the San Diego Community Indian Health Center (SDCHC). Required trainings include HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality training.
• Grant-Funded Position: This position is funded in whole or in part by federal grant funds, including the SAMHSA Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPTA) Grant. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon the availability of grant funding, and this position will end upon the expiration, termination, or non-renewal of grant funding, unless alternative funding is identified and approved by SDCHC.
• Time and Effort Reporting: Maintain accurate time and effort documentation consistent with 2 CFR 200.430, including allocation of time between grant-allowable activities and activities that must be supported by non-federal funds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and meticulous records.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Able to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all during work.
• Must be reliable and trustworthy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite or related programs.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Able to lift/move up to 40 pounds, move from place to place.
• Able to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods.
• Able to stand, bend and reach for prolonged periods.
• Ability to do math, organize and prioritize workload, work effectively and efficiently under stress.
• Ability to supervise, multitask, understand, and follow instructions.
• Ability to proficiently read, write, speak, and understand English.

Customer Service:

• Actively supports, promotes, and works to fulfill the Mission, Vision, and core values of SDCHC.
• Provides excellent internal and external customer service.
• Demonstrates SDCHC’s Standards of Customer Service Behavior: Compassion, Attitude, Communication, Appearance, Sense of Ownership, and Teamwork.
• Participate in ongoing customer service training.
• Every action seeks to promote SDCHC as a top service organization.

Quality Management:

• Contribute to the organization's success by participating in quality improvement activities.
• Complies with all SDCHC policies and procedures and proactively participates in implementing new initiatives.
• Participate and ensure continuous quality improvement process as directed by clinic leadership.

Safety:

• Ensures regulatory compliance and adherence to policies and procedures related to safe work practices.
• Participate in infection prevention through appropriate use of infection control measures during patient treatment and patient interactions.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for maintaining physical spaces, equipment, and supplies.
• Use all appropriate equipment and/or tools to ensure workplace safety.
• Immediately reports unsafe working conditions.

Privacy/Compliance:

• Maintains privacy and security of all patients, employees, and volunteers' information and access to such information. Such information is accessed on a need-to-know basis for business purposes only.
• Complies with 42 CFR Part 2 requirements governing the confidentiality and disclosure of substance use disorder patient records, including consent requirements for disclosures.
• Compliance with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations. Reports on unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful behavior or activity.
• Upholds strict ethical standards.

Flexibility:

Available for all shifts and, when required, can work evenings and weekends.

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives under the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473, and 473a). Besides the above, the San Diego Community Indian Health Center is an equal-opportunity employer.

San Diego Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class, political affiliation, or belief.

Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer.

San Diego American Indian Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation, or belief.

San Diego American Indian Health Center, 2630 First Avenue, San Diego, California, United States of America