Community Health Worker, Substance Use Services

Duties

Facilitate supportive discussions regarding patients’ substance use goals Engage patients early and often in their care journeys to support progress toward their substance use goals while in hospital (emergency department, inpatient units, other settings) Build rapport and therapeutic relationships with patients to facilitate care delivery and coordination in collaboration with SUIT and other care teams Provide hospital and system navigation supports to ensure smooth care transitions and improve access to services Support patients’ social determinants of health and related needs, such as assisting with housing, transportation, employment, food, health insurance, government documents, etc. Contribute to interdisciplinary care planning discussions Accompany patients to internal and external programs and services (e.g., Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic, Social Medicine Program, CAMH, TNG, etc.) Support patients’ immediate post-discharge needs and goals (e.g., appointment reminders, connection to external resources, arranging long-term supports and case management) Provide patients and hospital staff with education on substance use, harm reduction, and community resources Employ a harm reduction approach; advocate for stigma reduction at individual, program, and system levels Participate in program development and quality improvement initiatives to bolster substance use care capacity across the organization Liaise with external partners to support patients’ care goals and to foster stronger partnership relationships and system integration Maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of substance use care, community resources, hospital policies/procedures, and legislative environment

Qualifications

At minimum, completion of a diploma program in a relevant health or social service work field, or recognized equivalent of lived or work experience Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers preferred Minimum 2-3 years of related practical experience working with people who use substances Strong knowledge of, and familiarity with, community resources to address substance use issues and the social determinants of health, including housing, poverty, and food insecurity Dynamic knowledge of community engagement principles Experience with the provision of trauma-informed care and anti-racist, anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive practices Well-developed decision-making, problem-solving, and judgement skills Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills Well-developed public speaking abilities Facilitation and/or teaching experience Proven ability to work as a team member and independently Ability to have and use diplomacy and tact at all times Strong understanding of acute care setting and ability to navigate hospital systems an asset We encourage anyone who has lived experience of structural marginalization including homelessness or substance use to apply

Additional Information

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN. Competitive offer packages Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/) Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service A flexible work environment Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.) Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration. All applications must be submitted before the posting close date. UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application. UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Department

• Center for
• Mental
• Health
• Compensation: CAD 33.80 - CAD 42.25 - hourly