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Community Health Navigator Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

The Behavioral Health Navigator (BHN) is committed to removing barriers to care by identifying ... Meet with community partners to assure solid and mutually beneficial professional relationships.

Health Navigator I

Milwaukie, OR · Remote

$21.30 - $22.88/hr

... our community and comprehensive benefits to our employees. It keeps going by connecting with ... Opportunity for promotion to Health Navigator II upon learning all three lines of business.

Peer Navigator

Salem, OR · On-site

$20.44 - $23.70/hr

Bridgeway Community Health is currently seeking qualified Peer Navigator for our Bridgeway Community Connect team! Come join our growing outreach teams where you will work alongside those that are ...

Peer Navigator

Salem, OR · On-site

$20.44 - $23.70/hr

Bridgeway Community Health is currently seeking qualified Peer Navigator for our Bridgeway Community Connect team! Come join our growing outreach teams where you will work alongside those that are ...

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Community Health Navigator information

See Oregon salary details

$14

$24

$35

How much do community health navigator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for community health navigator in Oregon is $24.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.10 and $26.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Community Health Navigator vs Community Health Worker?

AspectCommunity Health NavigatorCommunity Health Worker
CredentialsOften requires certification or training in health navigation or community outreachTypically requires certification or training in community health or outreach programs
Work EnvironmentWorks in healthcare settings, community organizations, or outreach programsWorks in clinics, community centers, or public health agencies
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers, non-profits, public health agenciesHealthcare facilities, community organizations, public health departments
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for roles involving guiding patients through healthcare systemsCompared for roles involving direct community engagement and health education

While both roles focus on community health, Community Health Navigators primarily assist individuals in navigating healthcare systems, whereas Community Health Workers often provide direct health education and outreach within communities. Both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, but their specific functions and employer settings differ slightly.

How does a community health navigator collaborate with healthcare providers and community organizations?

Community Health Navigators often serve as a bridge between individuals in the community and healthcare providers. They work closely with clinics, hospitals, and local organizations to coordinate care, share information, and advocate for patients’ needs. Regular collaboration includes attending team meetings, providing feedback on patient barriers, and connecting clients to available community resources. Building strong relationships and maintaining clear communication with both providers and organizations is essential to ensure clients receive timely and comprehensive support.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a community health navigator?

To thrive as a Community Health Navigator, you need a solid understanding of public health principles, cultural competency, and typically a background in health education or social services. Familiarity with electronic health record systems, case management software, and relevant certifications like CHW (Community Health Worker) are often required. Outstanding interpersonal communication, empathy, and problem-solving abilities help build trust and effectively connect individuals with resources. These skills are crucial for bridging gaps in healthcare access and improving community health outcomes.

What is a community health navigator?

Community Health Navigators are professionals who help individuals and communities access health care services, understand their health needs, and navigate complex medical systems. They often work with underserved populations to provide education, support, and resources, helping to bridge gaps between patients and health care providers. Their role may include assisting with appointment scheduling, insurance enrollment, and connecting people to community resources that address social determinants of health. Community Health Navigators play a crucial role in improving health outcomes by reducing barriers to care and increasing health literacy.
What are popular job titles related to Community Health Navigator jobs in Oregon? For Community Health Navigator jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Community Health Navigator jobs in Oregon look for? The top searched job categories for Community Health Navigator jobs in Oregon are:
What cities in Oregon are hiring for Community Health Navigator jobs? Cities in Oregon with the most Community Health Navigator job openings:
Infographic showing various Community Health Navigator job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,395 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Community Health Worker (Navigator)

NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER

Milwaukie, OR • On-site

$25.02 - $32.54/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Who We Are:
Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient-centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctors office is only one factor in a persons overall health. Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support.
NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.
Why work with us?
  • We are a non-profit organization, passionate about providing the underserved population with medical and dental services across the greater Portland area, committed to making a difference daily.
  • We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes 20 days of PTO (based on full time employment), 9 paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance, quarterly wellness reimbursements, generous 401k retirement plan with employer match, employer paid disability insurance, EAP and life insurance.
  • Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024!

Job Title: Community Health Navigator
Department: Behavioral Health
Reports To: Manager of Behavioral Health
Work Type: On Site - This position includes travel to various clinics & community spaces in the Portland Metro Area
Classification: Full-Time, Non- Exempt
Language Differential: Eligible
SUMMARY
Community Health Navigators (CHN) are non-clinically licensed health care staff members who are frontline public health workers deployed in clinical and community care settings to improve the social health of Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) patients in the communities we serve. Navigators act as the quarterback of the care plan for members who have unmet social, medical, and behavioral needs. They work with patients, families/ caregivers, medical providers, and community partners to coordinate care and services across the continuum. Navigators are highly trained communicators and subject matter experts, skilled in Motivational Interviewing and responsible for ongoing community and NHC resource knowledge. Through building strong relationships and trust with patients and their family/caregivers, they can activate clinical care plans, identify patient-centered goals, and connect members to needed community resources to improve health outcomes and reduce total cost of care. The goal of the patient navigators is to help our members with real life issues that create barriers to their total health goals. Additionally, patient navigators outreach to our post behavioral health hospital discharge ready paneled patient population, and patients with recent emergency room visits for primary reason being behavioral health.
Essential Job Duties
  • Assist patients with social issues like houselessness, substance abuse and mental health resources, and food insecurity resources, and assess need through social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings.
  • Assist patients with organizing their medical care by making follow-up appointments, filling prescriptions, and connection to specialty health as needed.
  • Support patients through providing resources to connect to benefits and public assistance program; examples are health insurance, food stamps, and other resources as needed.
  • Initiate a follow-up call to patients who have been discharged from the emergency department or hospital following behavioral health crises within 24-48 hours post discharge. Assess and offer mental health resources, SDOH screening, care coordination, and scheduling with behavioral health and clinical pharmacy post hospital or ED visits.
  • Build rapport with patients to engage them in their care plan, offering encouragement and guidance in addressing their behavioral health needs.
  • Collaborate with the primary care team, Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs), and external providers to ensure smooth transitions of care and continuity of services for patients' post-discharge.
  • Assist patients in scheduling follow-up appointments with behavioral health providers, primary care physicians, or other relevant services.
  • Connect patients to community resources that address social determinants of health (e.g., housing, food, transportation) that may impact their mental health or substance use recovery.
  • Identify patients at risk for further crises and escalate cases to the care team or appropriate emergency services as needed.
  • Maintain accurate records of patient interactions, interventions, and referrals in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
  • Conduct regular follow-ups with patients to assess their progress, adherence to care plans, and any new or ongoing needs.
  • Communicate all care and coordination activity, risks and care plans using standard documentation, information technology and care coordination tools in the electronic medical record.
  • Be the system coordinator and point of contact for patients and families. May assume advocate role on the patient's behalf to ensure approval of the necessary services or accessibility of needed resource(s) for the member in a timely fashion.
  • Create collaborative relationships with staff across departments within Neighborhood Health Center, and externally, to promote collaboration and multi-system coordination.
  • Increase access to health and heath care services through innovative health models, virtual care strategies and collaborative community partnerships.
  • Apply motivational interviewing and patient centered approaches to address concerns around barriers to healthcare needs to improve the care experience and motivate patients to meet their health goals.
  • Ability to work independently with accountability and exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism at all times.
  • Good organizational and time-management skills.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Ability to travel up to 80% of the time and independently meet with patients in the clinic, home, or community-based setting.
  • Ability to work across various primary care clinics within NHC.
  • Participate in on-site events, clinics, and outreach initiatives as assigned.

Education and/or Experience
Required Qualifications:
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience in a community/clinic-facing role, addressing social determinants of health in a healthcare setting, navigation across health systems, and post hospital/emergency room visit outreach is required.
  • High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) is required.
  • Completion of the approved state certified THW/CHW is required.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Associate's Degree in public/community health or healthcare related field or two (2) years of experience in a directly related field.
  • Motivational Interviewing certification, Mental Health First Aid certification, and Trauma Informed Care training, or other trainings as assigned
  • Bachelor's degree in public/community health or healthcare related field.
  • Bilingual in Spanish.
  • Prior experience working with people experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and/ or substance use.

License and/or Certification Requirements
  • Completed and Active Certification as Traditional Health Worker in the State of Oregon: CHW or Peer Support Specialist in Oregon is required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors
  • Experience providing case management (or similar) services.
  • Ability to work on multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Experience working with ethnic, racial, economic, broad range of ages, and sexually diverse populations.
  • Ability to demonstrate flexibility and to adapt when faced with internal or external barriers, or when faced with differing points of view.
  • Demonstrated computer proficiency using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and working knowledge of the internet.
  • Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with community stakeholders.
  • Reliable transportation.
  • Verbal and written fluency in English.
  • Work will be in compliance with Federal and State administrative rules.

WORKING CONDITIONS
  • This position is typically with a 40-hour per week, with hours that may vary.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic chemicals and bodily fluids.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud, based on patient volume.
  • As a result of high patient volume, this position experiences stressors that come along with a fast-paced environment.
  • Must be able to travel during the workday and/or cover at other locations as needed.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee must frequently:
  • Lift, move, push, or pull objects/equipment/supplies weighing approximately 20-25 pounds up to 40-50 pounds.
  • Use full range of body motion; walk swiftly, stand, move, stoop, reach with hands and arms and bend.
  • Sit for extended periods of time or stand and move for extended periods of time.
  • Use sufficient manual dexterity in order to safely perform various skills and techniques or manipulate equipment.
  • See minor details from a distance, and differentiate between colors, shades, brightness textures and depth.
  • Use hands and fingers to handle, control or feel objects tools or controls.
  • Repeat the same movements when entering data.
  • Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
  • Hear and understand the speech of another person.
  • Read from a computer screen for extended periods of time.

Neighborhood Health Center Employment Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks, background checks, drug screening for illegal substances, Tuberculosis, and any position specific credentialing or licensure requirements.