Peer Recovery Coach/Peer Support Specialist

SUMMARY

The Behavioral Health Peer/Recovery Coach, under the direction of the Human Services Director, will be responsible for working collaboratively with multiple programs and agencies to ensure the highest level of care and access to services for their clientele. This position will provide confidential service to clients with a recovery-based approach that emphasizes hope, respect, self‑direction, and empowerment by providing peer support, personal assistance, education on community resources, and other supportive services to eliminate barriers and aid in clients’ recovery from addiction disorders to build resiliency, sobriety, promote mental and behavioral health, and increase self‑sufficiency. This position will assess mental status through interviews or observations and then refer and coordinate to the appropriate services. This position will implement culturally based activities utilizing the White Bison Curriculum to promote mental and behavioral health to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse and its related problems while promoting a strength-based program. This position will be responsible for maintaining data that captures qualitative and quantitative information for the clients’ health record. Minimum Qualifications High School graduate or equivalent required. A minimum of one year experience of proven experience as a Peer or Recovery Coach required. A minimum of one year experience working in a drug treatment environment or with substance use disorders required. Must be currently certified and maintain requirements as a State and/or National Peer or Recovery Coach. Knowledge of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders required. Knowledge of the principles, philosophies, practices, and procedures involved at inpatient and outpatient drug treatment facilities is required. Successful in own recovery for a minimum of three years and have a proven ability to share experience and knowledge with others required. Must have a valid unrestricted driver license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Relate own recovery process in a positive and supportive manner through coaching, role‑modeling, and mentoring to assist clients in developing skills to reach their goals. Maintain records and files according to program, funding sources, local, state, federal, tribal codes, laws, and/or requirements. Assist with and participate in logistical planning of all activities, including volunteers and chaperones for outreach such as talking circles, intergenerational spaces of learning, and other community events that support indigenous learning styles and create safe learning spaces for Tribal community. Assure that the safety and well‑being of the client, community member, staff, and volunteers is the highest priority. Knowledge of and adherence to the Grand Traverse Band Codes, Indian Child Welfare Act, the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act, department policies and procedures, local, state, federal, tribal codes, laws, and/or requirements and work within best practices. Maintain current certifications in CPR, First Aid, Recipient Rights, and Mental Health First Aid. Provide in‑home, community, or in‑office outreach, peer supportive services, education, community resources, referrals, and other social service interventions to clients. Serve as client advocate by working with courts, hospitals, law enforcement, jails, protective services. Locate appropriate resources and make appropriate referrals, assist clients and/or their families with completing forms for various local, state, federal, and tribal social services. Coordinate with other departments and outside agencies or organizations for social service programs to provide outreach to clients and their families to maximize operational effectiveness, services, and support to the community and public served. Provide specialized knowledge as a Peer or Recovery Coach; Grand Traverse Band Code, personnel policies, and department policies and procedures; local, state, federal, tribal codes, laws, and/or requirements. Testify in court hearings as required. Provide transportation when needed. Must be flexible and available to work various shifts as clinically needed. Mandated reporting to supervisor and authorities. Prepare, coordinate, facilitate education, support groups, and/or information articles to the community, other departments, and/or serve on projects and committees as assigned. Prepare grant narrative, completion of monthly, quarterly, and year‑end budget reports in compliance with grant and funding contracts and expectations. Complete program specific paperwork, itineraries, logs; monthly, quarterly, annual narrative and statistical reports as needed and/or required within established or defined timeframe. Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, case related activities such as case consultations, court hearings, pre‑hearing conferences, in service trainings, etc. Adherence to the highest level of confidentiality on all matters involving clients and families being served or visiting Human Services, Anishinaabek Family Services (AFS), and Behavioral Health Services (BHS) offices, as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations 42 Part 2, Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Grand Traverse Band Codes, Personnel Policy, and/or other regulatory agency. Other duties as assigned.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Communicate with supervisor on all aspects of Peer Recovery Coach position and functions on an need‑to‑know basis, potentially controversial conflicts/issues that arise, matters that affect policy or staff morale, and/or have other far‑reaching implications. Knowledge of and adherence to State and/or National Licensing regulations and requirements, participate in ongoing trainings, in‑services, conferences, and continuing education as required by funding agency, State and/or National Licensing Boards or Organizations for maintaining appropriate professional certification/licenses. Must adhere to the Grand Traverse Band Codes, personnel policy, department policies and procedures, and/or other governing agencies, and work within best practices. Making competent and immediate decisions regarding the welfare of clients and/or staff who are at imminent risk of harm using good sound judgment. Must be able to handle, and/or redirect potentially hostile clients, family members, and/or other inappropriate adversarial situations. Must be able to work in high stress environment, handle difficult situations, and maintain objectivity. Must be able to establish appropriate boundaries with clients and families. Demonstrated knowledge of the physical, psychological, and psychosocial effects of Mental and Behavioral Health, Grief, Substance Abuse, Abuse Issues, and Historical Trauma on the individual and family relative to the Native American Population. Ability to quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action; use judgment and emotional intelligence in identifying and selecting the most appropriate procedures to use, and/or follow in determining which of several established alternatives to use. Recognize problems or deviations from normal procedures and consult with supervisors to create a plan and/or solution; situations not covered by precedents or guidelines are referred to a supervisor. Demonstrate, according to the seven grandfather teachings, a commitment to cultural programming by learning of cultural teachings, participating in, and coordinating cultural activities for clients, providing continuous support for the enhancement of the culture, language, and traditions. Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of others, open‑minded to individuals’ needs, situation, and specific background and/or culture. Demonstrate active listening skills, such that the clients’ needs, issues and/or problems are heard and addressed. Must be comfortable networking in the community. Must be able to communicate effectively, have excellent oral and written verbal communication skills with a diverse range of audiences and settings, with the ability to prepare clear, concise, thorough, meaningful, and grammatically correct written reports and/or other written documents. Must have good time management, prioritization, follow‑up, follow‑through, and organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage workload to meet goals and needs in a timely manner. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a professional and courteous manner, sustaining professionalism under duress, and maintaining positive working relationships and communication with internal and external contacts. Proficiency in computers using Microsoft Windows Operating System, Office Suite, and Outlook; Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.) and proper use of other office equipment. Adherence to the highest level of confidentiality on all matters involving clients and families being served or visiting Human Services, Anishinaabek Family Services (AFS), and Behavioral Health Services (BHS) offices, as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations 42 Part 2, Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Grand Traverse Band Codes, Personnel Policy, and/or other regulatory agency. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High School graduate or equivalent required. A minimum of one year experience of proven experience as a Peer Recovery Coach required. A minimum of one year experience working in a drug treatment environment or with substance use disorders required. Must be currently certified and maintain requirements as a State and/or National Peer or Recovery Coach or obtain certification with 12 months of start date. Knowledge of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders required. Knowledge of the principles, philosophies, practices, and procedures involved at inpatient and outpatient drug treatment facilities is required. Successful in own recovery for a minimum of three years and have a proven ability to share experience and knowledge with others required.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

Must have and maintain a valid unrestricted Driver's License and insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibility required.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

General office equipment such as computers, copiers, fax machine, phone system, etc.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Involves sedentary work, with some lifting, reaching, walking, and lifting heavy objects, up to 50 pounds. Also requires manual dexterity to operate office equipment, keyboarding, etc. Should have corrected normal range of hearing and sight.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

The complexity and responsibility inherent in this position requires the candidate to be able to perform independently, calmly, and decisively with minimal supervision, in response to the demands of the position and with above average ability. Deadlines are involved that may produce stressful conditions on occasion. The work environment could present out‑of‑the‑ordinary job risks. There could be a risk of liability against the worker due to the nature of the position and clientele. May also provide services at schools, in hospitals, jails, homeless shelters, homeless encampments, and other locations in the six county service areas. During the delivery of services, you may be working with clients who may have HIV, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, as well as other infectious diseases. Some assignments will involve clients recovering from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse with the potential to exhibit violent, suicidal, or abusive behaviors.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office environment with anticipated automobile travel for client visits in the six-county service area. Some work to be performed in the three GTB satellite offices (Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Benzie). Position may require flexible schedule, events, conferences, and trainings outside normal working hours. May also provide services at schools, in hospitals, jails, and other locations in the six county service areas. At times, these services are provided collaboratively with other internal and external professionals.

COMMENTS

Native American Preference will apply. Must be willing and able to pass a criminal history background check with no felonies or serious misdemeanors and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy regarding confidentiality is a must. #J-18808-Ljbffr Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians