POSITION TITLE: Peer Recovery Support Specialist

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Tribal Health

SUPERVISOR: Director of Behavioral Health/Healing Center

GRADE: NE9 $17.83 ($37,103.25) - $26.75 ($55,654.77)

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for providing therapeutic behavioral health peer support in substance recovery for Washoe and American Indian/Alaskan Native adults, adolescents, and their families working on recovering from substance use, abuse, and/or addiction. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Engage in community outreach, patient engagement, referrals, and provide resources.
• Provide peer support services to clients under the supervision of the Director of Behavioral Health.
• Interact with clients as a peer by sharing common experiences and modeling resiliency and recovery.
• Functions as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills.
• Meeting with clients regularly to offer one-on-one support and counseling.
• Lead and co-facilitate substance recovery support and/or therapy groups.

Develops recovery plans, coping methods, rehabilitation, and harm reduction strategies with clients.

• Works with administrative assistants and team members to arrange medical appointments, therapy sessions, support groups, and other resources to aid the client.
• Observation and reporting any unusual behavior, conflicts, or recovery deviations to the relevant professionals.
• Acknowledges the importance of language and culture, intersecting identities, knowledge, and acceptance of dynamics of cultural differences, expansion of cultural knowledge, and adaptation of services to meet culturally unique needs.
• Represent the Health Center in a positive manner with tribal members and professionals.
• Facilitate cultural and evidenced-based behavior intervention techniques.
• Collect and compile data to provide progress updates regarding youth with Healing Center Clinical and Prevention Teams, parents, schools, and other involved agencies.
• Serve as a member of the Healing Center’s treatment and prevention teams.
• Participate in patient care and Individual Education Planning meetings on behalf of individuals.
• Seek further training and knowledge in behavioral healthcare to remain current with behavioral health standards of care.
• Adhere to all healthcare standards as related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Performs other duties as required for the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED and one year experience in peer recovery support, addictive and mental health treatment, or a combination of education and experience.
• At least two year of sobriety.
• At least two years of no law enforcement convictions.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:

• Knowledge of Washoe and American Indian/Alaska Native People and their history
• Knowledge of the functions and structure of the Washoe Tribe.
• Within 30 days of hire complete the State of Nevada Peer Recovery Support Specialist 46hour certification course.
• Within 30 days of hire develop an understanding of records management procedures and the use of an electronic health record system.
• Within 30 days of hire develop an understanding of applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and regulations including established professional standards.
• Within 30 days of hire develop an understanding of medical and psychiatric rehabilitation terminology.
• Within 30 days of hire develop an understanding of behavioral (psychological, emotional, and social) needs.
• Within 30 days of hire develop an understanding of the community resources for behavioral health-related issues.
• Ability to analyze problems, devise solutions, and make sound decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative/effective work relationships with participants, partners, professionals, and the public.
• Ability to plan, organize, and express ideas clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner, building respect and confidence.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Skill in operating personal computers and using computer software.
• Skill using basic arithmetic.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; occasionally is required to operate a motor vehicle, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level.

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California requires a background check of each new hire for employment purposes. Therefore, all conditionally offered positions will be subject to the following:

• Negative alcohol and drug screen
• Meet requirements of Public Law 101-630
• Obtain or possess a valid driver’s license for either the State of Nevada or California within 30 days.
• Must be insurable under the Washoe Tribe’s driving policy.
• Preference is given to qualified Native Americans