Peer Recovery Navigator

University of Colorado

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
Must possess personal, lived experience with SUD or addictions, and maintain continuous recovery with existing sobriety supports.
Must be willing and able to obtain the one of the following certifications within six (6) months of hire; Colorado Family and Peer Specialist (CFPS), Peer Recovery Specialist, or Peer Recovery Coach.
Must possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado Driver’s License or obtain one within 30 days from the date when the position is offered (this position will be required to go outside of the clinic to order and pick up purchases/supplies for the work unit or clinic).
Must agree to fingerprinting and criminal background check prior to being hired. Required background checks include a review with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Subject to pre-employment, post-accident, incident, and/or reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing per University of Colorado and/or Addiction Research and Treatment Services Policies.
Must be willing and able to work Monday through Friday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm; some days may begin at 6:00am.
Must be willing and able to work on some Saturdays and Sundays for events and/or clinic coverage.

Nice To Haves

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.
Possess certification as a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS), Peer Recovery Specialist or Peer Recovery Coach.
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.

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.