Community Health Worker, Substance Use Services

Full-time

Compensation: CAD 33.80 - CAD 42.25 - hourly

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.

Union: Non-Union

Number of vacancies: 1

Recent or Replacement Position: New

Site: Toronto General Hospital/Toronto Western Hospital

Department: Center for Mental Health

Reports to: Manager

Salary Range : $33.80 - $42.25 per hour

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Shifts: 10 hours - evenings, weekends

Status: Permanent Full time

Closing Date: 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-onesupport 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 support 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

Requirements

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.

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.

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📌 Community Health Worker, Substance Use Services (Ontario)
🏢 University Health Network
📍 Ontario