Recovery Navigator Peer Specialist

Location: Yakima / Ellensburg

Description

Join MERIT Resource Services team as a Peer Specialist Recovery Navigator, giving hope and sharing your own journey of recovery through lived experiences. Make a difference in the community by supporting substance use disorder-based case management and alternative to jail and prosecution. The outreach coordinator and case manager positions will overlap working with police and prosecutors to accept referrals and divert individuals from the criminal justice system. Recovery Navigators will work with community partners to coordinate approaches and encourage referrals.

Outreach Coordinator

Provide field-based response and outreach to referrals as quickly as possible with emphasis on building a peer supported relationship and taking care of the individuals basic needs first. Provide person-centered and recovery-oriented services designed to avoid unnecessary hospitalization, incarceration, institutionalization or out of home placement.

Case Manager

Provide intensive field-based case management that meets the individual’s needs by increasing protective factors while decreasing risk factors through a person-centered, participant driven decision making process. Develop and implement an individual intervention plan that includes all resources regardless of provider and not restricted by existing contracts. Provide trauma informed care and culturally relevant services while coordinating with existing providers to avoid unnecessary and duplicative services.

Major Responsibilities

• Acts as a role model, mentor, and ally to program participants under the supervision of the Recovery Navigator Program Manager employed by MERIT.
• Outreach Coordinator -provide a brief wellbeing screening during initial interactions. Provide warm hand-offs to supportive services and follow up with individuals who have disengaged with Recovery Navigator case management services.
• Case Manager- Provide a warm hand off when referrals are made to external services and participation/advocacy at those appointments when requested by the individual being served. Provide all case management classifications within the Recovery Navigator Program Uniform Standards. Provide assistance with initial screening, releases of information, consent to coordinate care and treatment, and follow the Substance Use Disorder Consent Management Guidance provided by the Health Care Authority.

· All daily outreach and case management contacts must be clinically documented and include dates and times of service, client demographics, referral source, date and time of referral, type of referral, location, and follow-up/disposition.

• Coordinates with program Substance Use Disorder Professionals (SUDP’s), Mental Health Professionals (MHP’s), law enforcement, corrections/hospital staff, community providers, and family/natural supports to increase the likelihood of continued safety, health, and stability of the program participant.
• Provide harm reduction-based support and encouragement to program participants as an individual with lived experience in working toward a path of recovery.

Benefits

MERIT provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options, retirement plan options, a generous PTO package, and more.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Applying for or currently has a Washington State certification as a Certified Peer Counselor.
• Applying for or currently has a Washington State licensure as an Agency Affiliated Counselor.
• Two (2) years working as peer counselor is preferred.
• Lived experience with a substance use disorder and active in recovery.
• Must be able to pass required background checks as required by MERIT contractual requirements.
• Current Washington State Driver's License and proof of insurance. Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report required.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer with applicable software to successfully perform essential job functions of the position including word processing, spread sheet, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.

Skills and Abilities

• Familiarity and knowledge of best practices for substance use disorder treatment and prevention programs, mental health, and developmental disabilities programs as well as with local social service agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain trusting and supportive relationships as well as provide inspiration and motivation to individuals transitioning toward recovery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and/or cultures.
• Ability to foster collaboration and teamwork with program participants, other staff, fire and rescue, law enforcement, county corrections facility staff and outside agencies.
• Ability to accurately meet documentation requirements, in a timely fashion.
• Ability to respectfully manage differences, opposing perspectives, opinions, and interests.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change.

Working Conditions

• Work is generally performed out in the community. Requires travel to a variety of community locations.
• Requires transportation of clients in fleet vehicle.
• May require availability to work flexible hours.
• Minimal physical exertion is required. May be required to lift or move boxes/equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,961.60 - $49,673.30 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you active in Recovery and have lived experience as an addict?

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person