Peer Assistance Services, Inc., is a community-based, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit Colorado corporation. Our mission, to lead with prevention and intervention for substance use and mental health concerns, guides all agency programming. Our values of grit, integrity, and compassion are guideposts for all that we do in the service of our mission. Each staff member operates from these to ensure the success of the agency. Peer Assistance Services implements two statewide programs: Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment, and the Peer Health Assistance Programs.  

Screening, Brief, Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, or SBIRT, is an evidence-based early intervention practice to identify, reduce, and prevent the use of alcohol and other substances. SBIRT calls for community-based screening for health risk behaviors, including substance use. SBIRT in Colorado is a statewide program that provides training, technical assistance, and implementation support to health and mental healthcare providers, healthcare organizations, and stakeholders. SBIRT in Colorado manages a statewide campaign to increase public awareness of the risks related to alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use and to reduce the stigma of seeking treatment. 

Peer Health Assistance Programs are statutorily created and funded by license fees. These programs provide assessment, referral, long-term case management, and monitoring for health and mental health professionals with physical, emotional, psychiatric, psychological, and/or substance use conditions affecting their practice. Please visit our website at https://www.peerassistanceservices.org/ to learn more about the program and we encourage you to watch this information video. 

This is a hands-on, full-time position with day-to-day duties that include responsibility for comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluations of licensed healthcare and mental health professionals. Evaluation Includes detailed written findings and recommendations. Evaluations are conducted to determine if professionals are safe to practice, only safe to practice with treatment and monitoring, or not safe to practice. Evaluations must follow the required PAS format. A qualified evaluator must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and attention to detail.

Compensation:  $80,000 to $85,000 (DOE)
Location: Hybrid

Specific Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluations for Peer Health Assistance Program Participants.
• Completion of evaluation is accomplished via a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
  • This process includes administering a variety of screening instruments to complete the evaluation.
• Complete comprehensive, written evaluation to include findings and recommendations regarding the ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety. Internal review must be conducted before final submission—evaluation to be submitted to DORA within the contracted timeframe.
• Collateral information is necessary and must be collected in advance in order to complete the evaluation.
  •  Including 3rd party referrals with additional specifics regarding referrals provided for each referral.
• Refer program participants for urinalysis/drug testing on the same day of the evaluation and will provide collection site information.
• Provide clinical review of evaluations for colleagues on an as-needed basis.
• Regular coaching of two to three case managers.
  • Includes reviewing program participant diagnoses and criteria for treatment referral, as well as discussing measurement-based care screening tools, providing support to client supervisors and practice monitors, and determining safety to practice.
• Attend weekly office hours and provide monthly 1:1 coaching meetings, including instructing, advising, and consulting Case Managers.
• Coordinates and cooperates with PAS staff, program participants, contractors, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Respect and adhere to team/supervisor/agency decisions. Holds self and others accountable.
• Tracks, measures, and reports outcomes.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Registered Nurse (RN) with both a master’s degree in counseling psychology and CAS.
• Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse is board certified as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner in psychiatric nursing.
• Certified Addictions Registered Nurse-Advanced Practice (CARN-AP).
• Must hold one of the following combination of credentials (active): 
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS).
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) with CAS.
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with CAS.
  • Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
  • Licensed Psychologist.

• Two years of experience conducting clinical assessments is required.
• Licensure must be without restrictions or disciplinary actions.

Required Skills:

• Able to deal with individuals facing different circumstances and various backgrounds.
• Able to empathize and sympathize with each patient to better understand circumstances.
• Develop relationships with your clients and be able to go above and beyond to help at times.
• Know your boundaries so you don’t enable behaviors.
• Able to be non-judgmental.
• Build a trusting relationship with clients.
• Know how to handle stress.
• Research skills using research to incorporate theories and data into practice. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean MVR, travel required.
• Able and willing to pass a pre-employment drug screening.

Covid 19 Vaccination Requirements:

• Employees must provide proof of full vaccination status. Covid-19 Vaccination for recent variants is recommended by PAS.

Comprehensive Benefits:

• Medical (United HealthCare), Dental, and Vision.
• Employer paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan option - 403(b)(7) for eligible employees
• Generous PTO
• Professional Development