Peer Support Specialist

Job Summary\:

The CU College of Nursing is seeking a full-time (1.0 FTE) University Staff (non-classified) Peer Support Specialist for the Recovery Coach Doula Program. The position will support the grant-funded Recovery Coach Doula Program within the CU midwifery faculty practices across Denver metro.

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus encompasses the University of Colorado health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals - UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado - that treat more than two million adult and pediatric clients each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus delivers life-changing treatments, patient care and professional training and conducts world-renowned research fueled by over $650 million in research grants. For more information, visit www.cuanschutz.edu.

Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 7\:30 a.m. to 4\:30 p.m., and this position may be required to work on some Saturdays/Sundays and evening/nights (for events/clinic coverage). This position is hybrid, including some job requirements being completed remotely.

Clinic Description\:

Sheridan Health Services is a multi-site, nurse-managed federally qualified community health center, funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Primary Healthcare; and is a collaborative effort between the College of Nursing and the Sheridan School District. The clinic serves community health needs primarily for residents of Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson counties and is located in southwest Denver on the Fort Logan campus. It provides services to adults and children, 65% of whom identify at Latinx, and 42% of whom are best served in another language, with Spanish being the predominant second language. Services offered include primary care across the lifespan; prenatal and postpartum, women’s health, dentistry, pharmacy, behavioral health, and outpatient substance use treatment. Sheridan Health Services is a Patient-Centered Medical Home and upholds a model of care that places the patient at the center, incorporating the values and beliefs of the patient in all decision-making.

https\://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/patient-care/sheridan-health-services

Key Responsibilities\:

Direct Care (75%)

• Under general supervision, receive training and serve as a Peer Support Specialist to implement peer-led interventions for pregnant and postpartum clients with substance use disorder.

• Utilize motivational interviewing to assist clients in identifying goals and developing action plans.

• Mentor clients by providing guidance, education, and encouragement to facilitate personal growth.

• Conduct outreach activities in the community to engage pregnant and postpartum clients with substance use disorder.

• Assist clients in navigating community resources and services that support recovery and well-being.

• Maintain a repository of resources and track demand/utilization of resources by clients, communicating with leadership/supervisor about action items and additional resources required, and partnerships to establish.

• Collaborate with supervisor and team and coordinate efforts to ensure successful delivery of services.

• Attend and participate in training, team/staff meetings, and other events as needed.

• Identify any problems, challenges, or obstacles in the coordination of services, identify potential solutions, and work with your team to resolve such problems, challenges, or obstacles.

• Ensure all duties and responsibilities are performed for the effective and appropriate benefit of clients to whom care and/or services are being provided.

• Ensure confidentiality of client health information and/or health records.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create individualized comprehensive care plans.

• Participate in team, site, grant, and community meetings, gathering, and training as assigned by your supervisor.

• Provide doula support during client labor admission.

Customer Service (15%)

• Provide excellent customer/patient service to internal and external stakeholders.

• Provide information on program services and respond courteously to queries.

• Work comfortably with clients who are referred from a wide range of referring agencies including city and county parole/probation departments, the Department of Social Services, and other relevant agencies.

Documentation (10%)

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and/or notes as required by agency policy.

• Use electronic health record systems to ensure timely documentation, recording, and tracking of communications, interventions, and client data.

• Schedule and maintain multiple internal and external appointments.

Work Location\:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of three (3) days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us\:

CU Nursing is an amazing place to be. We have the distinct advantage of being a part of a huge medical campus with three incredible hospitals – the VA, the nationally ranked University of Colorado Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado, where our nursing students and faculty learn every day. From our beginning 125 years ago as part of the School of Medicine at CU Boulder to our current home at the Anschutz Medical Campus, the college has been a recognized leader in nursing education (ranked #10 in online MS graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report 2023). Our faculty, students, and staff have been instrumental in shaping the profession of nursing and teaching the next generation of nurses while treating clients in our own nurse-led clinics. Be a part of an innovative, dynamic, diverse, and exciting workplace -- helping make great things happen. Join us in our quest to boldly transform health together.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including\:

• Medical\: Multiple plan options

• Dental\: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance\: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan\: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off\: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days\: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days\: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days\: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit\: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass\: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications\:

Minimum Qualifications\:

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

• Candidate must provide proof that they have completed 60 hours of COPA- or NAADAC-approved peer support specialist training.

• One year of direct experience working as a peer support specialist/recovery coach.

Substitution\: Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications\:

• Experience connecting clients to internal and external services and resources.

• Experience working with pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorder.

• Experience using motivational interviewing techniques.

• Experience working with clients who are involved with the criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services, and/or other similar systems.

• Experience working with electronic health records.

Conditions of Employment\:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

• Active participation in a specific recovery/wellness process, with at least two (2) years of continuous participation in a personally identified process and the ability to express commitment and outcome of maintaining a recovery lifestyle, both verbal and written.

• Must be willing and able to obtain the Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS) or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) certification within one (1) year of the hire date (fee paid by employer).

• Must be willing and able to work some evenings and weekends on an infrequent, as-needed basis.

• Must be willing and able to work in a normal client care environment with some exposure to biological hazards and infectious diseases.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities\:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Knowledge of basic therapeutic confrontation and clinical site systems.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain rapport and positive relationships.

• Excellent critical thinking abilities.

• Must honor, support, and accept all pathways to recovery.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to engage successfully with Pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorders.

• Ability to comply with established rules, policies, and procedures and meet deadlines.

• Ability to be open-minded and nonjudgmental.

• Ability to develop healthy relationships and boundaries with clients.

• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and 42 CFR part 2 standards.

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultures and diverse socioeconomic situations.

• Ability to effectively and accurately check for typographical, grammatical, and/or spelling errors in documents.

• Knowledge of basic care coordination, medical/hospital, and/or community resources.

• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite products.

• Ability to successfully handle multiple tasks in a high-pressure environment.

How to Apply\:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s)\:

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to the listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

Questions should be directed to\: College of Nursing Human Resources at CON.HR@ucdenver.edu or 303.724.4447.

Screening of Applications Begins\:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received within two (2) weeks from the posting date. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range\:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $44,256 to $51,341.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement\:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement\:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement\:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement\:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.