System Navigator HART Hub, Durham Community Health Centre, CA

Job Posting

Position Title: System Navigator – HART Hub (1 position)

Employment Status: Permanent full-time

Position Status: This is a Bargaining Unit position. All terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement apply.

Job Posting Deadline for Internal Candidates: October 3, 2025, at 5pm

Hours of Work Schedule: 35 hours per week including some evenings and weekends

Salary Range: Annualized salary range of $62,271 - $72,501, commensurate on skills and experience and plus Group Benefits & HOOPP

Hiring Manager: Director, Hart Hub

Primary Location: Community-based and across various Agency locations within Durham Region

Organization Overview

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is a registered, charitable organization that provides integrated, accessible, and equitable community based primary care, wellness services, and health education to Durham community members who face multiple barriers to their health and well-being.

DCHC also provides equity-based programs and services that focus on priority populations such as Indigenous, Black, the 2SLGBTQI Community, Newcomers to Canada, Seniors, and Unattached patients (i.e., those without a family doctor), to name a few. DCHC ensures Durham community members receive not only sick care, but preventive care as well.

At DCHC, we are a team-based interprofessional group of staff including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counselors, dietitians, outreach workers, medical secretaries, and other administrative staff. We always place every client at the centre of our approach to care, based on their needs. We address these needs through integrated clinical and wellness care and health education.

It's an exciting time to be joining this organization.  Durham Community Health Centre has been selected as the lead agency for the new Homeless Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in the Durham region.  This innovative hub will provide life-changing services for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health challenges, helping them regain stability and rebuild their futures. The Hart Hub is a 24/7 operation, providing continuous support to the community.

Position Overview

As a member of the HART Hub Team, the System Navigator will support individuals experiencing homelessness and struggling with addictions and/or mental health issues by navigating complex health, housing, legal, and social systems. Working from a harm-reduction, trauma-informed, and culturally safe approach, the System Navigator will build trusted relationships with clients, coordinate care, connect individuals to internal and external services, and advocate for timely and equitable access to resources.

Additionally, the System Navigator will develop links to community resources to meet the needs of clients, paying close attention in building partnerships with those who support the homeless and addiction recovery community with the goal of improving engagement and continuity of care across the region.

In service of respectful, competent, and safe care, the System Navigator will work closely with the HART Hub interdisciplinary team and act as a resource for DCHC staff and community partners by providing updates on best practices and developing and delivering ongoing education.  The System Navigator will support internal and external providers by connecting clients with resources to facilitate and support access to affirming care.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with clients through outreach and in-reach, building trust with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.
• Community case management –Help in accessing local resources, Ex) ODSP, injection supplies, housing, group support, mental health support, Name and gender change forms, external medical services and other services
• Development of groups to meet community needs including gap analysis/community feedback groups as well as training/mentoring group facilitators
• Complete holistic intake assessment using standardized tools and frameworks

• Developing and implementing relationships with external partners to create and foster Networks and Committees to help promote health, wellness and support of individuals who are unsheltered, and struggling with addictions and/or mental health issues.

• Develop individualized care plans in collaboration with clients and interdisciplinary team members.
• Provide support and navigation services to clients applying to government or other external programs
• Facilitate warm handoffs and seamless transitions to healthcare providers, shelters, housing programs, and withdrawal management services, legal support, and social assistance programs.
• Monitor client progress and modify navigation plans as needed.
• Act as a liaison between clients and service providers including hospitals, shelters, housing support services, justice system stakeholders, and addiction/mental health treatment programs.
• Advocate for client needs at the individual and systemic level; identify and report service gaps.
• Supporting clients identified from internal outreach programs or any other health programs Ex.) HepC, Community Outreach, Youth, Clinics.
• Collaborate closely with HART hub team members (e.g., nurses, social workers, peers, addiction counsellors, outreach workers) and external partners.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date electronic health records, client files, and case notes in accordance with organizational policies and privacy legislation.
• Contribute to program development and evaluation by identifying trends, services barriers, and client outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work, Nursing, or other relevant health discipline.
• 2 years work experience in the Health and/or Social Work field, or an equivalent blend.

• Registration with a regulated professional body (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO).

• Experience working with marginalized populations (e.g., individuals who are unsheltered, and struggling with addictions and/or mental health issues.
• Demonstrate understanding on the impacts of the social determinants of health; in particular, working knowledge of social support systems (e.g. Ontario health and benefits systems, housing systems, employment law as it relates to clients’ transitions)
• Experience with system navigation, care coordination, or case management.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team and collaborating with team on the care of clients
• Strong knowledge of local systems: housing, shelters, ODSP/OW, healthcare, harm reduction, and addictions services in the community.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, recovery-oriented practices, and anti-oppressive frameworks.
• Demonstrated initiative and experience working independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong knowledge of anti-racist, decolonizing, and anti-oppressive understandings of the Homeless communities in Ontario, and the intersection of health and social issues faced by these communities and in particular homeless communities in Durham Region
• Excellent interpersonal skills: verbal and written communication; ability to adapt communications to the audience, including conflict de-escalation skills, educational presentations. Ability to motivate, problem-solve and deal with complex issues with sensitivity and respect.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to take on multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines and manage tasks and projects with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated software skills (MS Office).
• Demonstrate a commitment to a healthy and safe workplace for self and others (staff, patients, families, etc.) by taking all reasonable precautions and working in compliance with DCHC related policies, health and safety legislation and best practices.

• Understands and works within the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and other relevant legislation.
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation preferred.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory for this position (DCHC will however adhere to its duty to accommodate those who are unable to be fully vaccinated for a reason related to a human right protected ground).

Application Process:

1)           If you are interested in being considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications and expectations by email to recruiting@durhamchc.ca.  This position will remain posted until filled.

2)           While we thank all applicants for their interest in applying, only those qualified and considered for an interview will be contacted. All applicant submissions will be kept on file for six months, for future consideration.

3)           All applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

4)           All positions are subject to the successful completion of the following pre-employment conditions for all external hires: Reference Checks; and Criminal Background checks (including Vulnerable Sector Screening).

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and celebrates diversity so that all employees have the opportunity to thrive.  DCHC will comply with all applicable standards as set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code, and any other applicable legislation.  Accessibility: If you have accessibility needs and require alternate formats or other accommodations, please contact our Talent and Culture team at 905-723-0036, or by email to recruiting@durhamchc.ca.