University Health Network·Toronto, Ontario
The Community Health Worker will provide direct support to patients in emergency and inpatient settings to address substance use goals and facilitate system navigation. They will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and community partners to ensure coordinated care and improve access to social services.
Company Description UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital.
With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre.
As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care.
UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine.
UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality. www.uhn.ca
Job Description: Union: Non-Union
1 New or Replacement Position: New Site: Toronto General Hospital/Toronto Western Hospital Department: Center for Mental Health Reports to: Manager
$33.80 - $42.25 per hour Hours: 37.5 hours per week Shifts: 10 hours - evenings, weekends Status: Permanent Full-Time
September 8, 2026 Job Summary Working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), UHN has established a world-first partnership with a shared vision to integrate physical and mental health and advance brain health science. This collaboration unites Canada’s leading mental health research hospital with Canada’s leading academic health sciences centre to deliver comprehensive, coordinated care and drive world-class research and education on the connection between brain and body health. As part of the UHN-CAMH Partnership, UHN is participating in Ontario Health’s Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Pathway (SUD ICP) initiative, with the goal of establishing integrated care pathways for patients presenting to hospital emergency departments at high risk of alcohol and/or opioid-related morbidity and mortality to connect people to care that addresses their needs, both in hospitals and communities. The SUD ICP represents an expansion of the UHN Mental Health Program’s existing Substance Use Intervention Team (SUIT), a consult service that ensures patients who use substances receive high quality care in hospital and upon discharge into community. The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be a key member of SUIT, an interdisciplinary team that will include physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and case managers. Working in both emergency department and inpatient settings, the CHW will collaborate with clinicians and community-led organizations on the development of a comprehensive plan to help address individual patient’s substance use goals and other related needs. The CHW will provide direct one-on-one support to patients, advocate for high quality substance use care, and provide system navigation throughout patients’ care journeys. The CHW will support the development and provision of information and resources, as well as participate in case discussions and debriefs. The CHW will contribute to the growth and improvement of SUIT and UHN’s broader Substance Use Services within the Mental Health Program. Additionally, the role will support building, growing, and sustaining relationships with community partners, including CAMH and The Neighbourhood Group (TNG).
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
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
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. At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.
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.
Candidates must have a diploma in a relevant health or social service field and at least 2-3 years of practical experience working with individuals who use substances. Strong knowledge of community resources, harm reduction principles, and trauma-informed care is essential for this role.
Market context
In Ontario, behavioral-health roles are typically driven by ongoing need in community, outpatient, and support settings serving people with mental health or substance use challenges. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for experience with diverse populations plus a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor’s in social work or a related field preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show relevant client-facing experience and readiness to work with varied needs.