Description

• Location: Montezuma Creek, UT
• Full-time Benefits start at: PTO leave, Vacation leave, 14 paid Holidays, 100% Medical/prescription insurance ($0 premium, $0 deductible, $0 copays) for employees and dependents, Life insurance, Retirement plan, wellness benefits. Optional coverage for dental, and short/long term disability.
• Length: 3 Years

Applications MUST also include the following (incomplete applications will not be accepted):

• Resume
• A minimum of three references (2 non-personal and 1 personal)
• Cover letter
• Personal statement of lived experience and how you use your recovery experience to help others.

Summary:

Peer Support Specialists within UNHS, Inc., will support the Healthy Transitions Iina Bihoo’aah Program (IBP) participants receiving case management and mental health services to enhance their behavioral health and potential during transition into adulthood and responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This position will carry out the following responsibilities:

1. Assist and offer a positive example to clients to enhance their life skills in areas such as self-advocacy, supported education, supported employment, vocational opportunities, personal well-being and living situation. Assist clients in working with their case manager or treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery by providing emotional support.
2. Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. Support clients in developing recovery plans, coping methods, and rehabilitation strategies.
3. Work collaboratively with mental health providers and case management staff to identify clients who can benefit from peer support, by offering hope and living proof that living with a SMI/SED is possible.
4. As much as possible, the peer support will share their own recovery story and as the facilitator of sessions, will demonstrate how they have directed their own recovery by role modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
5. Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with clients and share common problems in daily living and methods to manage and cope with these problems.
6. Provide individual contact with clients to identify and develop individualized treatment plan goals and monitor ongoing achievement of goals.
7. Use sessions to teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows clients and peer support to share their experiences.
8. Assist clients in understanding components of recovery and resiliency and in applying skills to achieve life goals by developing empowerment skills and combating the stigma through self-advocacy.
9. Work cooperatively and effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
10. Supporting the client’s choice and building confidence to help lead to a greater degree of independence.
11. Serve as a resource for clients by scheduled appointments or same-day.
12. Participate in the development and implementation of advocacy and in all required training; expected certification within one year of hired date.
13. Fill out and submit required documentation and provide up-to-date information.
14. Maintain working relationships with BH and clinic staff members, as well as other collaborating agencies.
15. Maintaining a valid driver’s license is required as some driving and/or transportation may be required to take clients to medical appointments, job sites, social activities and other community resources.
16. It is essential for the provider to accurately and carefully document the services provided to a consumer. Peer support specialists must follow the documentation requirements outlined in the Utah Medicaid Provider Manual.
17. Conduct community awareness/education activities on mental health to promote new health-seeking behaviors before a crisis develops. This will include, at minimum, planning and implementing a community event on May Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.
18. Follow all personnel policies and procedures of UNHS and support the administration team in providing quality healthcare in a financially viable process.
19. Maintain patient and business confidentiality at all times.
20. Comply with the UNHS Policies and Procedures regarding Confidentiality, with the Privacy Act, with Health Insurance Portability Act.
21. Any other tasks, projects, or duties that are requested by the Employee’s supervisor or other UNHS management or administration that is at all reasonably related to UNHS and/or the Employee’s employment with UNHS.

Requirements

1. Speak Fluent English and Navajo. (Preferred)
2. Ability to answer phones and use computer systems.
3. Ability to use computer systems and efficiently learn software applications.
4. Ability to communicate effectively in the English language.
5. Demonstrate strong customer service skills
6. Identity and resolve problems in a timely manner
7. Prioritize and plan work activities to meet expected departmental objectives

Required Qualifications

This position requires the following qualifications:

Education & Experience: Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent to be considered for this position.

**At least one year of direct experience with mental health services. Self-identified individual who is in recovery from serious and persistent mental illness, serious mental illness or serious emotional illness, or from substance use disorder.

Expected certification within three months of hire date.

Language Skills: Fluently read, write, and speak the English language.

Math Skills: General math skills required.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to reason and creatively problem solve.

Interpersonal Skills: Must have excellent communication skills to work professionally and collaboratively with therapists, counselors, case managers and other referral services and providers. Must have strong impersonal skills and the ability to listen; give direction and guidance to clients.

Computer Skills: General computer skills required, as well as knowledge and ability to use the Microsoft Software suite. Furthermore, the Employee must demonstrate proficiency with software applications, including EMR, email, etc.

Other Required Abilities: To perform the job successfully an individual must demonstrate the following abilities: perform a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages, from young adult to old age, in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process.

As a Tribal Organization the Utah Navajo Health System, Inc. (UNHS) treats patients with high risk and underlying chronic medical conditions. Therefore, UNHS requires its employees to show proof of immunization prior to their employment with UNHS or during their employment. Below is a list of immunizations/vaccinations required to be employed or to continue employment with UNHS.
The immunizations/vaccinations include but not limited to following:

• MMR (Measles Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella): Documentation of two MMR vaccines (OR) Documentation of MMR titers.
• Complete Hepatitis B vaccine series (3 doses), documented proof of titers indicating immunity, or a declination that may be signed upon arrival.
• Proof of up-to-date PPD skin testing, if previously negative (OR) Proof of positive PPD skin test with the most recent chest x-ray and treatment history.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap).
• Varicella titers, history of varicella or varicella immunization series.
• Influenza vaccine for the current year.
• COVID-19 vaccine
• Any other vaccinations as requested.