Community Health Worker

Overview

The Addiction Medicine Clinic is a specialty medical clinic focused on the treatment of substance use disorders and related medical conditions. We provide evidence-based medical care including medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), long-acting injectable therapies, hepatitis C treatment, obesity medicine, and coordinated behavioral health services.

Full-time

The Addiction Medicine Clinic is a specialty medical clinic focused on the treatment of substance use disorders and related medical conditions. We are seeking a skilled and mission-driven Community Health Worker (CHW) to join our interdisciplinary medical team. This is a structured, clinically integrated role supporting patient engagement, case management, and continuity of care. The CHW functions as a critical member of the medical team, supporting patients with complex medical and social needs.

This role focuses on case coordination, care navigation, barrier reduction, and retention in treatment — in addition to preventive education. The CHW works directly alongside providers, nurses, and behavioral health staff to ensure patients remain connected to life-saving medical services.

JOB SUMMARY: The Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of the care team who serves as a bridge between patients and clinical providers in the Addiction Medicine Clinic (AMC). Working under the supervision of a licensed medical provider, the CHW supports individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring chronic health conditions in navigating care, building health literacy, and addressing social determinants of health.

This position emphasizes harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and low-barrier engagement to foster long-term recovery, wellness, and access to primary medical services. CHWs are not counselors or licensed clinicians but provide advocacy, education, and linkage to resources that medical and behavioral health providers may not be able to deliver directly. CHWs operate within the Oregon Health Authority’s approved scope of practice for Traditional Health Workers and bill services under “incident-to” supervision by a licensed provider where applicable.

• Provides outreach and relationship-building with patients who are disengaged or at risk of leaving care, initiating contacts via phone, in person, or in the field;
• Participates in clinical case planning meetings and execution of care coordination plans for medical and SUD treatment;
• Provides low-barrier care navigation to help patients access medications for substance use disorders, preventative health care, and chronic disease management;
• Delivers Preventative Medicine counseling (CPT ) under medical supervision on:
  • Tobacco cessation
  • Nutrition and physical activity
  • Overdose prevention and naloxone use
  • Risky substance use behavior
  • Safe medication use and MAT adherence
  • Hygiene, wound care, and infection prevention
  • Medication safety for patients and families
• Assists patients with appointment scheduling, transportation coordination, and accessing services such as food, housing, primary care, harm reduction supplies, and medication refills;
• Accompanies patients to medical, dental, or behavioral health appointments to support advocacy, understanding, and retention in care;
• Maintains contact with patients in residential or detox care to support transition and reengagement in outpatient services;
• Supports patients in navigating systems such as OHP enrollment, Oregon Prescription Drug Program, food assistance (SNAP), housing, and recovery resources;
• Conducts basic screenings (e.g. PHQ-9, SBIRT) under provider delegation and documenting in the EHR;
• Leads or co-facilitates non-clinical peer education groups and wellness programming (e.g. healthy living, coping strategies, stress management);
• Participates in regular supervision, team meetings, and continuing education related to scope and role;
• Supports the clinic’s harm reduction approach, including syringe access referral, safe use education, and naloxone distribution coordination;
• Promotes equity by addressing systemic barriers to care and honoring patients’ autonomy and dignity;
• Participate…