Health - Perinatal Care Specialist

The Perinatal Care Specialist, under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Manager, functions as an advocate and navigator for women and families affected by perinatal opioid use. The Perinatal Care Specialist ensures program coordination and communication across services, agencies and community partners, both tribal and non-tribal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Undergo extensive training to ensure and maintain core competencies and knowledge reflecting evidence based, best practices for “wrap around” support of pre-conception, pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder and opioid-exposed infants and toddlers.
• Participate in effort to inventory and map local resources and services for women and infants affected by opioid use disorder.
• Serve as the lead point person/case manager responsible for ensuring access to high quality services and coordination between service providers for every woman and infant client.
• Meet with clients one-on-one and/or along with other service providers.
• Connect clients with peer recovery coaches as available.
• Serve as a liaison between and among service providers, including well-woman, prenatal, maternity, postpartum, well-child, home visiting, child welfare, substance abuse treatment, recovery support, MAT, social services, legal services, educational services, childcare, employment support, housing, etc.
• Monitor services for all identified women and maternal/infant dyads, providing trouble shooting, navigation and support as needed, such as transportation, assistance with referrals, scheduling appointments, providing education and support around proper medication use, completing support plans for every client and ensuring cross-provider/cross-services communication.
• Serve as an active member (or lead coordinator) of the tribal task force on opioid use disorder; collaborate with other local and state programs and initiatives addressing the opioid epidemic.
• Perform data collection and documentation necessary for compliance, providing requested information for grant reporting to the Inter-tribal Council as well as to appropriate Tribal department.
• Completes and submits accurate and timely reports.
• Educate patients on family planning, women’s health, maternal care, and newborn health.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Attends all required education in-service training activities.
• Serves as a resource to assist individuals, other professionals or the community as needed.
• Coordinates coalition groups and committees as needed.
• Participates in community substance abuse prevention coalitions.
• Travels frequently through out the seven county service areas.
• All other job- related duties as assigned.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, other department managers, customers, patients, students, schools, youth and, outside vendor/service providers, other prevention specialists and coalition members, and healthcare providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position requires occasional light lifting up to 20 pounds and frequent lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds. Physical factors include constant use of hearing, smell, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, color/field of vision; frequent standing, walking, sitting, typing; occasional carrying/lifting, pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, bending, manual handling and travel. Working conditions include frequent exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet/humidity, noise and occasional exposure to poor air quality. Potential hazards include frequent computer use, frequent client contact and exposure to electric shock and equipment.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor's degree in human services, related field or five years demonstrated experience in related field considered in lieu of degree.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of experience in field of substance abuse, behavioral health, community health, and/or social services with Tribal organizations, American Indian communities, or other populations who experience significant disparities and/or systemic barriers required in addition to above education/experience requirement.

Certification/License: Credential/certification in substance abuse, behavioral health, social work, or Community Health Worker, such as CAC, CAADC, LPN, RN, LSW, MSW, CHW preferred. Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver’s license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Will be required to successfully complete pre-employment drug testing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must be familiar with social determinants of health and health equity approaches and have demonstrated skills in navigating health systems, especially behavioral health and recovery systems. Must be able to use word processing, spreadsheet and data base software. Knowledge of HIPAA and confidentiality standards and regulations required. Knowledge of national, state and local prevention education resources preferred. Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse range of audiences and settings. Must have excellent communication skills and be sensitive to cultural and economic diversity. Must have excellent organization skills, prioritizing tasks and managing time. Must be able to work with minimal to no supervision. Must be able to establish and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supervisors and the general public. Must be able to be sensitive to the cultural dimensions of health education in Native American communities. Knowledge of maternal issues and community resources. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability. Must be flexible and available to work various shifts. Must maintain confidentiality. Native American preferred.