Community Health Worker – Emergency Dept, Substance Use Navigation Focus

Cedars-Sinai

Community Health Worker supporting Emergency Department patients with substance use disorders at Cedars-Sinai. Providing navigation, education, advocacy, and care coordination for complex social and behavioral health needs.

Posted 7/17/2026full-timeLos Angeles • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesJunior💰 $25 - $37 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in care coordination and navigation for individuals with complex social and behavioral health needs, utilizing harm reduction principles and evidence-informed approaches. Proficient in developing individualized care plans and facilitating access to a continuum of substance use treatment services.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Community Health Worker (CHW) CertificationCertified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) CertificationSubstance Use Disorder KnowledgeHarm Reduction PrinciplesMotivational Interviewing

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Care CoordinationSubstance Use Treatment OptionsBehavioral Health Crisis RecognitionProblem Analysis and Solution DevelopmentCommunity Resource Navigation

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsRelationship-Building SkillsTeam CollaborationPatient Advocacy

Certifications & Qualifications

Community Health Worker (CHW) CertificationCertified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Certification

Industry Keywords

Emergency Department ExperienceBehavioral HealthAddiction MedicineHarm Reduction StrategiesTrauma-Informed CareMedications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)Withdrawal ManagementRecovery Support ServicesCommunity Recovery Resources

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Supports Emergency Department (ED) patients with complex social, behavioral health, and substance use-related needs by providing comprehensive navigation, education, advocacy, and care coordination.
Engages individuals with substance use disorders, applying harm reduction principles.
Develops individualized care plans that address social needs, behavioral health concerns, and substance use-related goals in collaboration with patients and the interdisciplinary care team.
Provides education on substance use disorders, overdose prevention, harm reduction strategies, recovery resources, and available treatment options using non-stigmatizing, evidence-informed approaches.
Assists patients in exploring the full continuum of substance use treatment options, including outpatient services, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), residential treatment, withdrawal management, recovery housing, peer recovery support, and other community-based recovery resources.
Facilitates timely referrals and warm handoffs to behavioral health providers, substance use treatment programs, community-based organizations, primary care providers, and specialty services.
Conducts proactive follow-up with patients and families to promote successful linkage to treatment, encourage continued engagement, and address barriers to care.

Requirements

What you’ll need

High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, public health, community health or a related major preferred.
Minimum of 1 year of experience in community health, care navigation, health education, behavioral health, or a related field required.
Minimum of 2 years of experience working with individuals experiencing complex social needs, including homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, serious mental illness, or other underserved populations preferred.
Community Health Worker (CHW) certification and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification preferred but not required.
Experience working in Emergency Department, behavioral health, addiction medicine, or community-based substance use programs preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of substance use disorders, harm reduction principles, motivational interviewing, stages of change, and trauma-informed care.
Familiarity with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including community treatment resources and referral processes.
Knowledge of the continuum of substance use treatment services, including withdrawal management, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs, residential treatment, recovery support services, and community recovery resources.
Ability to effectively engage individuals who may be ambivalent about treatment while respecting patient autonomy and readiness for change.
Strong understanding of health-related social needs and community resource navigation.
Ability to analyze problems, develop practical solutions, and advocate effectively for patients across healthcare and community settings.
Skill in recognizing behavioral health crises or high-risk situations and escalating concerns appropriately.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with diverse and highly vulnerable populations.
Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary clinical teams in fast-paced environments.
Bilingual skills (Spanish, Russian, Farsi, Korean, American Sign Language, or other languages commonly spoken in the community) strongly preferred.
Availability to work weekends and evenings.

Benefits

Comp & perks

healthcare
a 403(B)
a generous time-off policy