Prevention Services Peer Navigator

Position: Peer Navigator Drug User Health Hub

Classification: Nonexempt

Reports to: Pueblo Prevention Services Manager Drug User Health Hub

Location: Colorado Health Network; Pueblo CO

COVID19 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 COVID19 or has COVID19 symptoms.

Background:

Colorado Health Network Inc. is the lead agency responsible for establishing and overseeing a multiagency regional provider network that coordinates care for people who use drugs (PWUD) in Pueblo 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 lowbarrier 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 linkagetocare 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 Hurfano 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 linkagetocare 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 antistigma; participates in additional trainings when offered.
• Provide inperson 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

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 linkagetocare 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:

Bachelors 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 evidencedbased programs is highly preferred as well as excellent communication client services and data collection skills. The appropriate person will be highly organized and detailoriented. This position requires personal and professional accountability; selfmanagement 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 email the Internet and fax. Valid Colorado Drivers 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 fulltime employees a comprehensive benefits plan that includes: Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Plan 403(b) Legal Shield FSA Life Insurance EAP LongTerm and ShortTerm 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 selfexpression unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture but our reputation and CHNs 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 socioeconomic status veteran status substance use history genetic information prior protected activity and other characteristics that make our employees