Case Manager/ Peer Support Specialist

Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Compensation: $30.00

Schedule: 40 hours a week

Ideal Option has been working on the front lines of the opioid epidemic since our first clinic opened in 2012. With more than 80 clinics across 9 states, we continuously strive to be the nation’s leading provider of low-barrier evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.

We are looking for a Forensic Peer Navigator for the Dona Anna County in New Mexico and to help us in our vision to give back lives, reunite families, and heal communities that are suffering from the devastating effects of substance use disorder.

We value our patients and our employees! We treat our employees like we would want to be treated ourselves: with respect and compassion. Below are some specifics on what Ideal Option offers and the role.

Benefits

At Ideal Option, we offer our employees a competitive and comprehensive benefits program to recognize how important you are to the company. Current benefits include:

• Medical, vision, and dental
• Short-term and long-term disability options
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance and Life Assistance programs
• A 401K retirement program
• Pet Insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays

The Role

This position is critical to Ideal Option, by providing engagement and intensive case management services to individuals suspected of low-level drug offenses and/or prostitution. The Case Manager will provide direct services to an active case load of approximately 25-30 individuals. Case managers provide outreach, long-term engagement and supportive services for participants through intensive case management activities and collaboration with Ideal Option partners, service providers, housing providers and other community organizations.

As a Case Manager much of your time will be spent in the field providing peer outreach and case management services to individuals suspected of low-level drug offenses in collaboration with Ideal Option partners, service providers, housing providers and other community based organizations.

Job responsibilities include

• Provide Outreach and Intensive Case Management services for assigned clients.
• Engage participants on the street and at social service provider facilities to establish a working relationship and offer services.
• Assess participants for the severity of chemical dependency and housing status and determine needs for other services, e.g., medical, mental health.
• Assist participants in gaining access to a variety of funding programs (e.g., SSI, ABD, VA) •
• Assist participants in finding housing and maintaining occupancy.
• Provide advocacy and support for participants within the criminal justice system including court appearances and written communication.
• Advocate for the participant with a wide variety of other service providers.

Additional responsibilities may include

• Representing Ideal Option at community meetings, attending events, conducting outreach, and building awareness.
• Develop relationships with existing and potential community partners, referring providers, potential patients, and other stakeholders with direct outreach, field marketing, attendance at community events, meetings, workshops.
• Work at various partner sites throughout the area each week to raise awareness for Ideal Option’s services and guide staff members and patients through virtual intake and provider visits.
• Provide education and training to community-based organizations and providers about Ideal Option, medication-assisted treatment, and substance use disorder to broaden acceptance of addiction as a chronic disease and continue to reduce stigma and misconceptions about the disease.

Our ideal candidate has

• Experience serving populations impacted by extreme poverty, behavioral health conditions, and mental illness from a harm reduction model of care.
• Experience supporting and advocating for participants within the criminal justice system including court appearances and written communication.
• Street outreach experience providing services and resources to the populations we serve.
• Ability to advocate and effectively communicate and problem-solve under pressure in high-stress situations.
• Must live in Dona Anna County, New Mexico and be familiar with local resources.
• The ability to respectfully engage and develop a working alliance with the people we are serving.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• An undergraduate degree related to social services or behavioral health.
• Experience working with communities involved in street-based sex work.
• 1-2 years working with people in recovery providing guidance and support
• Experience working with a CRM system
• Experience with an EHR system and HIPAA compliance
• Certified Recovery Mentor Certificate or Peer Support Specialist Certification