Substance Use Navigator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About Cardea Health:  

Cardea Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate health care to marginalized populations.  

Mission Statement 

Our mission is to create and support programs that protect the health and autonomy of vulnerable individuals and promote equity and social justice to improve the well-being of our entire community. Compassionate care for vulnerable populations. 

Workplace Culture 

Cardea is dedicated to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and actively seeks to include underrepresented communities. We believe that diversity drives innovation and fosters a more dynamic, inclusive, and productive work environment. We value unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, and we are committed to providing equitable opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us in building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our society and let's make a positive impact together. 

Our Cardea CARE(S) Values include: 

• Compassion 
  Big heart, steady presence 

• Accountability 
  We own it: the work, the follow-through, the impact. 

• Respect 
  We assume good intent and keep it real  

• Engagement 
  We lean in and figure it out together. 

• Support 
  We’ve got each other across roles, teams, and sites. 

These values guide how we care for residents, collaborate with colleagues, and represent Cardea Health in the community. 

Primary Location: Multisite  

Schedule: Part-Time and Full-Time

Job Summary:  

The Substance Use Navigator builds relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness in a variety of settings including temporary shelter, transitional housing, and other residential facilities. Substance Use Navigators encourage methods that mitigate the negative consequences of substance use, up to and including medical treatment for addiction. This position is responsible for providing an array of harm reduction services to people actively using drugs as well as education around treatment options. The Substance Use Navigator will be primarily responsible for direct support to participants, including resource navigation, peer support and providing safer use materials and education, as well as connecting participants with treatment services when requested. The Substance Use Navigator is a champion and advocate for People Who Use Drugs, and the primary role of this position is creating an environment in which harm reduction techniques are embraced and made available to residents and staff. 

Job Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Establish a positive relationship with patients struggling with drug use 

• Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with patients in a respectful, culturally appropriate, and non-judgmental manner 

• Be a consistent and supportive presence to all residents, even those who are not ready to engage in services. Contact all residents on a regular basis 

• Provide one-on-one peer support to clients. Promote harm reduction strategies based on patients’ goals, preferences, and life circumstances 

• Assist in creating a supportive environment in which recovery is an individually defined concept, and all paths toward it are encouraged. Share personal recovery journey as needed 

• Provide harm reduction education and supplies to staff. Be an informational resource to staff who work with People Who Use Drugs 

• Provide post-overdose support to residents and staff. Connect with overdose survivors within 24-72 hours of the overdose incident 

• Promote the use of non-stigmatizing language by staff when referring to people who use drugs 

• Develop connections with an array of community service providers related to harm reduction. Know how to connect residents to services including HIV/HCV testing, STI testing and treatment, safe sex supplies, PrEP, and syringe exchange 

• In partnership with supportive services staff, assist participants in basic resource navigation 

• Facilitate connection with Substance Use Treatment options for clients interested in engaging in treatment. Provide warm hand off to treatment providers and follow up regularly with clients initiating medication assisted treatment 

• Document client interactions. Collect data on program operations 

Required qualifications: 

• Must have reliable transportation to and from shifts 

• Must be 18 years of age or older 

• Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision 

• Must comply with all agency policies 

• Must be COVID vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated 

• Ability to communicate in languages spoken in the local community is desired 

• We are specifically looking for candidates with an active interest in harm reduction and social justice as it pertains to individuals who use drugs. Familiarity with the basic principles of harm reduction is required 

• Personal life experience in the areas of substance abuse and/or homelessness is desired 

Physical Requirements: 

• Occasional stooping, kneeling, and crouching. Frequently standing, walking, using arms, hands, and fingers. Employees will frequently need to communicate and listen 

• Frequent use of close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus 

• Occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals 

Work Environment:  

• In-person onsite at a supportive housing facility. Constant work around and/or with people OR Interaction with patients, clients, and external customers

Benefits: 

Employees in this role may be eligible for a range of benefits, including:

•  Employer-supported medical

•  Access to dental and vision insurance

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Retirement plan (401k) participation with a company match

• Commuter benefits

• Long Term Disability

• Life Insurance

• Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on hours worked per week and length of employment

Cardea Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

Cardea Health is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability, citizenship or veteran status. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the state of California and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. 

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities for this role. Activities, duties, or responsibilities may change, or a new job description may be assigned at any time with or without notice.