Peer Support Specialist - Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Summary:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a 'Service Delivery Area' comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational, and cultural services.

The Peer Support Specialist will support the Behavioral Health outpatient program by assisting in mental health and/substance abuse recovery, coordination between other Behavioral Health provided wrap-around services, coordination with other Ponca Tribe of Nebraska programs, and supporting criminal justice referrals.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Collaborate with providers within the Behavioral Health Department and Ponca Health Servcies on protocols to integrate, coordinate, and provide access to substance abuse prevention and interventions services in the schools, courts, and correction/detention systems.
2. Establish a referral process with local correction/detention systems to initiate services for clients upon release.
3. Assist program participants with their recovery goals. Consistently serve as an added support and appropriate role model.
4. Collaborate with Ponca Health Services providers to ensure that clients are being connected with needed supportive services to assist in their recovery including: housing, food access, child care, job training, primary healthcare, and transportation.
5. Assist, teach, and support clients regarding activities of daily living, vocational skills, housing access, maintaining financial supports, and building support networks.
6. Provide side-by-side support, coaching and encouragement to help clients socialize and carry out leisure-time activities.
7. Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities and provide other opportunities to practice social skills.
8. Lead and teach Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and/or SMART Recovery groups.
9. Maintain a Sustained Recovery Talking Circle
10. Attend and participate in staff meetings and trainings as scheduled.
11. Utilize and refine trauma informed skills through training and practice.
12. Will follow the policies and procedures of Ponca Health Services and the Behavioral Health Department
13. All data recorded will be timely; accurate; and current.
14. Patient confidentiality and Privacy Act/CFR 42 and HIPAA must be enforced.Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to: assisting with training new team members, as appropriate, assisting with grant tracking, assisting with grant data collection, attending grant recipient award metings, and youth group.
    • Additional training, certification, and compensation for provisionally and/or licensed drug and alcohol counselor may be available based on employee interest and clinic need. This would include conducting chemical dependency evaluations and assisting with group substance use treatment.

Relationships and Authority:

This position has no supervisory duties.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

This position is frequently driving clients and operating in the community. Sits, stands, bends, lifts, twisting, and moves intermittently during work hours. Regularly lifting up to 100 pounds and occasionally lifts more. Is subject to emotionally upset patients, family members, personnel, and visitors. Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, unreceptive people.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

1. High school diploma or GED
2. 2+ Years in recovery from substance abuse
3. Able and willing to complete the Certified Peer Support Specialist training and certification.
4. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
6. Valid driver's license and be insurable.
7. Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background checks.
8. Able and willing to travel.

Preferred:

1. 2+ years in recovery from a mental health disorder
2. Certified Peer Support Specialist.
3. Associate's Degree in social work/related field or equivalent work experience working with individuals with mental health/psychiatric disorder, substance abuse
4. 2+ years working with Native American clients.
5. Knowledge and understanding of Public Law 93-638" Indian Self-Determination Act.

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe. However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

Tribal Council Approval: 02/20/2024