Prevention Services Peer Navigator

Description

Position: Peer Navigator - Drug User Health Hub 

Classification: Non-exempt

Reports to: Pueblo Prevention Services Manager - Drug User Health Hub 

Location: Colorado Health Network; Pueblo, CO

COVID-19 Information: It is an essential function and business necessity of the job that all employees are vaccinated and that all new hires will be required to be vaccinated within four weeks of hire. CHN requires proof of vaccination as this is a business necessity of the job. CHN will discuss reasonable exemptions for medical and religious purposes. If CHN considers making an offer of employment, CHN will inquire about vaccination status at that time, including whether the new hire currently has COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms.

Background: 

Colorado Health Network, Inc. is the lead agency responsible for establishing and overseeing a multi-agency regional provider network that coordinates care for people who use drugs (PWUD) in Pueblo, Colorado.  The goals of this project are to increase access to low barrier, culturally competent services for people who use drugs (PWUD) in Pueblo, and to increase knowledge about the needs of PWUD in Pueblo.

This project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Prevention Funding for Health which is a five (5) year cooperative agreement.  This funding is specifically for a special project for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment related to the infectious disease consequences of drug use. 

Position Summary: 

In collaboration with other prevention staff, the Peer Navigator will support the design, creation, implementation, and ongoing support for the Drug User Health Hub.  The Peer Navigator will be responsible for engaging with clients throughout the process to guide service inclusion and ensure accessible, low-barrier, service delivery of linkage to care.

This role requires flexibility and will involve: 

• Support the establishment of referral processes with each service provider and train prevention staff on linkage-to-care and referral processes
• Direct service provision of Syringe Access and HIV/HCV/STI testing 
• Community engagement; meetings, presentations, outreach events

People with lived experience are some of the best qualified to provide harm reduction and sexual health services.  The person hired for this role will have lived experience with substance use and the demonstrated ability to provide services in a harm reduction/HIV/HCV prevention setting.  This role does not require additional certifications. 

Service Area: 

Primarily Pueblo county, with occasional work/travel across the state (Pueblo, Crowley, Kiowa, Prowers, Bent, Otero, Baca, Las Animas, Huérfano, Costilla, Alamosa, Conejos, Rio Grande, Saguache, and Mineral Park, Teller, El Paso, Fremont, Chaffee, Custer, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne counties)

Essential Job Functions:

• Support identification, recruitment, establishment, and integration of services and service providers
• Design and implement processes for structured client input and feedback with program participants, including focus groups, surveys, interviews, etc.
• Provide direct referrals and linkage-to-care for program participants; support training needs of other prevention staff
• Maintain current understanding of overdose/HIV/HCV/STI prevention issues and trends, best practices around harm reduction, sexual health, trauma informed care, and anti-stigma; participates in additional trainings when offered. 
• Provide in-person advertising of Health Hub Services during Syringe Access and Harm Reduction services (10 - 15 hours/week)
• Provide support for HIV/HCV/STI prevention services as needed, including rapid testing and sample collection, education, and outreach 
• Create advertising and educational materials for syringe access program clients, providers, and community members    
• Create and facilitate educational trainings and presentations for internal staff, providers, and other community coalitions and settings
• Organize and/or attend events in the community; such as educational presentations, resource fairs, Pride, community meetings, etc.
• Maintain awareness of providers, social services, support programs, and events; support creation of advertising materials for clients
• Work collaboratively with prevention services team to develop and support programs that are culturally competent and responsive to participants and clients accessing prevention services at SCHN
• Participates in the development of social media content with collaboration from the prevention services team, as needed
• Aids with intern/volunteer recruitment, training and support in the areas of sexual health, overdose prevention, outreach, syringe access, and other prevention services.
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Social media/marketing skills
• Data skills
• Educational/facilitation skills
• Bilingual
• Advancement and implementation of harm reduction education, outreach, supportive services, and syringe access program development
• Facilitation of linkage-to-care for people who inject/use drugs (PWID or PWUD)
• Administration of HIV/HCV testing and individualized risk reduction counseling services to PWUD, as well as people living with HIV; members of the LGBTQ community; people experiencing or at risk for homelessness; recently incarcerated persons; and other populations who may benefit from educational programs and services related to HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) testing and information, sexual wellness efforts, and harm reduction.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health, a related field, or equivalent experience required.

We highly recommend people of all educational background and life experiences apply. We believe that people with lived experience are among the most qualified to provide harm reduction and sexual health services. We believe that the people we serve must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people who hold these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

Software Utilized:

Experience working with basic office and database computer programs, including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, SharePoint and social media outlets required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability:

Previous experience in the delivery of evidenced-based programs is highly preferred, as well as excellent communication, client services, and data collection skills. The appropriate person will be highly organized and detail-oriented. This position requires personal and professional accountability; self-management and initiative; dedication to quality improvement; professional integrity; research ethics, and cultural competency. Must demonstrate accuracy, efficiency and superior organizational skills. Must demonstrate effectiveness in the following areas: task and time management; teamwork; and communication with teams, managers, clients and participants, and company consultants.

Material and Equipment Directly Used:

Works with standard office equipment including computer work station, printers, copiers, scanners and fax machine. Works with word processing software, spreadsheet applications, and presentation software. Communicates with clients and vendors using the telephone, e-mail, the Internet, and fax. Valid Colorado Driver’s License/auto insurance and reliable transportation required.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions:

Works in an office environment. Regular weekly and monthly reimbursable travel required. Requires clear speaking ability and the ability to use a telephone for extended periods. Requires ability to view a computer screen (near acuity). Requires finger agility for keyboarding and using a telephone and other office equipment.

As employees of a charitable organization, all CHN staff share the responsibility of serving as ambassadors for the organization in the community. This can be achieved by fostering the development of relationships with potential constituents/donors as well as by participating in CHN events/activities in a way that is meaningful to each employee.

General Benefits Description:

We offer full-time employees a comprehensive benefits plan that includes: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, 403(b), Legal Shield, FSA, Life Insurance, EAP, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability.

About Us:

Our employees are the most valuable asset we have. We celebrate and encourage applications from those with lived experiences as it relates to this job posting. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and CHN’s commitment to the communities we serve.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve the mission of the Colorado Health Network will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment as we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, HIV status, ethnicity, family or marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, substance use history, genetic information, prior protected activity and other characteristics that make our employees

Salary : $20 - $22