Substance Use and Mental Health Evaluator

The Peer Health Assistance Program provides 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. Peer Assistance Services contracts with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations to provide the Peer Health Assistance Programs which are statutorily created and funded by license fees. Our leadership and staff work from the core values of grit, integrity, and compassion, and an unwavering dedication to prevent unhealthy substance use, embracing the needs of mental health issues, and steadfast support of recovery. We are committed to creating positive, lasting change in the lives of Coloradans. If you are interested in joining our team, please fill out the online application on our website at https://www.peerassistanceservices.org/.

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:  $75,000 to $80,000 (DOE)

What will you do?

• 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 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.

What education & experience is required in this role?

• 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 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.

Do you have these special 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 be fully vaccinated and provide proof of full vaccination status. Employees are considered fully vaccinated:
  • Two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
  • Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson's vaccine; or
  • Two weeks after the second dose of any combination of two doses of different COVID-19 vaccines as part of one primary vaccination series.

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• Must have boosters’ vaccination series.

What makes us different?

• Comprehensive Medical (United HealthCare), Dental, and Vision.
• FSA and Employer paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan option - 403(b)(7) for eligible employees
• Generous PTO
• Part-time, paid sick leave accrual but not eligible PTO employees.
• Professional Development
• Travel and Reimbursement

Salary : $75,000 - $80,000