Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that’s served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It’s our passion.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Responsible for delivering non-clinical activities that engage, educate and offer peer support to individuals, their family members, and caregivers in order to successfully connect them to culturally relevant health services, including prevention, timely treatment, recovery management, and follow-up.

 

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

Education

- None.

 

Experience

- Two years' experience as a Peer Recovery Navigator or Peer Specialist preferred.

- Knowledge of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or Recovery Model of Treatment preferred.

 

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

- May have an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in lieu of specific education and/or experience as stated above.

 

Certification/Registration/Licensure

- Prefer Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) or obtain certification within six months of placement in the job.:

- Required for Behavioral Health/Psych Services Only: 60630 and 89200

- Must have a current Heartsaver CPR course completion card within 60 days of hire and/or placement in job from one of the following. Current staff must obtain within 18 months from 4/19/2023:

American Heart Association American Red Cross Military Training Network

- Must have Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression (SAMA) certification, level 1-4, before first clinical orientation shift. Must obtain within 30 days of hire or placement into the job. Current staff must obtain within 18 months from 4/19/2023.

 

Skills or Special Abilities

- Must be able to demonstrate oral and written communication skills.

- Must be skilled in communicating with and facilitating dialogue between health care professionals, individuals and their families.

- Must be able to demonstrate active listening, empathy, relationship building, and interpersonal skills.

- Ability and willingness to disclose lived experience of mental and/or substance use disorders and recovery with peers, professionals and the public.

- Must demonstrate knowledge and ability to integrate health information, about prevention/management of recovery and the health system, into the culture and language of the community. Must have knowledge of communities they serve.

- Ability to actively participate as a team member of a health-care team.

 

Responsibilities

1. Serves as a peer advocate, focusing on patients¿ needs, rights, confidentiality and cultural preferences. Identifies and addresses barriers to health care for health desperate populations and serves as a resource person for specific clinical and recovery care issues. Helps to negotiate desirable patient outcomes.

2. Serves as a liaison between provider and patient/family to facilitate communication and services. Maintains telephone contact between patients and health-care providers. Coordinates care among providers (such as screening clinics, diagnosis centers, tech labs and allied health services), physician visits and other medical appointments.

3. Coordinates transportation (to and from medical appointments), child-care, elder-care, and respite services. Arranges translation services as necessary.

4. Provides emotional support to alleviate fears of and barriers to accessing quality health care.

5. Assists patient, family/caregiver in completing medical, financial and other forms that are necessary for health care access and services. Assess and assists with maintaining insurance coverage and medication financing.

6. Motivates and educates individuals and their families/caregivers about the importance of preventive services. Provides education to improve health literacy and the understanding of medical conditions and recovery strategies.

7. Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve patient satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.

8. Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field of mental illness and/or chronic substance abuse by attending seminars, in-service workshops, reading professional journals, and maintaining certification. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.

9. Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.

Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status. As part of our commitment to our patients and employees’ wellness, Parkland Health is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.