"Peer Recovery Navigator"

Peer Recovery Navigator

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Psychiatry - Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS) - Adult Outpatient

Job Title: Peer Recovery Navigator

Position #: 00682465 - Requisition #:37149

Job Summary:

The Peer Recovery Navigator supports drug and alcohol treatment for adult patients in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment at ARTS clinic locations (Denver, Aurora, and Arvada) and the Medication Mobile Unit (MMU). ARTS is a part of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. This is a full-time, grant-funded, University Staff (non-classified) position that provides activities to engage, educate, and offer support to patients in SUD treatment, their family members, and caregivers to connect patients to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up sessions. This position is responsible for conducting outreach activities with patients, staff, community partners, subcontracted agencies, and/or other entities as appropriate, travel to various sites, and perform other duties as assigned or required.

The Peer Recovery Navigator will work with ARTS clinics and with other Opioid Treatment Providers (OTPs) within the Signal ("Signal," formerly Signal Behavioral Health Network) region to assist individuals requiring SUD treatment to connect with community services and treatment agencies. This position will build and maintain relationships with medical and clinical care providers, work groups, task forces, community agencies, harm reduction centers, and law enforcement authorities to educate and provide information regarding substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This position will support effective treatment referrals and serve as a conduit between patients who need treatment and treatment providers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement peer-led interventions to improve outcomes for patients in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and traditional outpatient treatment.
• Conduct structured individual and/or group interventions that focus on topics such as health education, care coordination, as well as identifying and reducing barriers to care for patients.
• Manage and conduct outreach activities in the community to engage patients in SUD treatment.
• Provide referrals of appropriate resources, as well as establish and maintain weekly communication, either on-site, or by phone with Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), other MAT providers, hospital Emergency Departments, harm reduction organizations, and law enforcement to educate each about the availability of treatment and treatment referrals.
• Identify problems, challenges, and/or obstacles in coordination of patient services, identify potential solutions, and resolve such problems, challenges, or obstacles in a timely manner.
• Ensure confidentiality of patient health information and patient health records,
• Complete paperwork, including consent/participation forms for every patient served, as required by Signal, federal and/or state regulations, and/or any applicable grant-specific requirements.
• Attend and participate in Signal and/or grant-specific meetings and events, work-related trainings, clinic team/staff meetings, and other events as directed by supervisor.
• Perform and accomplish all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor or their designee.

Work Location:

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located at the Westside Clinic, Arvada CO.

Why Join Us:

Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) is the clinical program of the Division of Substance Dependence, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. ARTS has provided residential, and outpatient empirically supported substance abuse treatment services in Colorado for over 45 years, with an emphasis on psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for adolescents, women, men, families, and those involved in the criminal justice system. It is the mission of ARTS to improve the quality of life and productivity of individuals and families affected by substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders through the application of scientifically supported prevention, education, and treatment services.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• One (1) year of experience working closely with patients and connecting them to resources, or related work experience.
  + Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Prior experience in Patient Navigation and connecting patients to required services or resources.
• Experience working with clients who are involved with the criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services, and/or other similar referral sources.
• Experience providing administrative support to clients, families, staff, and other stakeholders in a substance abuse treatment setting.
• Experience working with electronic health records and Patient Health Information management systems.
• Current and valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) license or higher.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to engage successfully with substance use disordered clients in treatment.
• Ability to comply with established rules, policies and procedures and meet deadlines.
• Ability to develop healthy relationships and boundaries with clients.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Excel to create, revise, update and maintain spreadsheets.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Outlook to create, send and receive e-mail communication.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.