CULTURAL NAVIGATOR

Summary/Objective

The Cultural Navigator coordinates and facilitates patient groups and services for the Native American Cultural Enhancement Program (NACEP) residential programs. The Cultural Navigator is also responsible for building and maintaining positive partnerships with religious and spiritual leaders to support NACEP. The Cultural Navigator will also provide general case management, plan educational programs, collaborate with staff for medical care, assist with aftercare and continuing care plans, facilitate groups, and coordinate volunteer and educational opportunities. The Cultural Navigator educates patients on available services and develops a network of contacts with service providers and agencies for referrals and negotiated affordable services. The Cultural Navigator works in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse, Clinical Program Director, clinicians, and other staff of the facility to empower patients to learn and develop essential living skills to further their recovery, and-ultimately-their lives.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Act as VOANR liaison with Tribal/Agency/Nation leaders to provide information about the NACEP and build/maintain the patient referral process.
• Provide cultural training and insights with staff and patients.
• Monitor and document patient treatment information in an electronic health record system(s).
• Purchase and maintain an inventory of products needed for NACEP.
• Sustain NACEP curriculum and ensure NACEP treatment meets White Bison certification requirements.
• Collaborate with the Treatment Team to address patient concerns and providing NACEP support.

• Understands the specifics of addiction and the 12-step model.
• Understands underlying mental health issues that often accompany addiction.
• Meets with patients on their assigned caseloads within the first week of admission and then regularly through treatment to track them in the progress of their case management goals.
• Performs case management functions for all assigned patients needing assistance and monitors the delivery of services to patients to ensure they are appropriate, timely, and satisfactory.
• Collaborates with the clinical team to coordinate care in seven vital areas of employment, medical, housing, finances, education, recreation, and volunteering.

• Guides patients in achieving goals in their six areas, as necessary, from admission through discharge.
• Guides the patients through the step-down process and discharge planning.
• Educates patients in step-down on the expectations and enforces the expectations.
• Facilitates groups at one or both houses, covering living skills, personal growth and well-being, and new patient orientation.
• Provides support to their counterparts in Sheridan and Riverton
• Acts as a liaison between community agencies, service providers, staff, and patients.
• Makes referrals as necessary for patient optimization.
• Communicates with referents.
• Facilitates communication between patients and public entities, such as but not limited to the Department of Family Services.
• Educates patients on service availability, application procedures, and patients' rights.

Competencies

• Effective communicator, both written and oral
• Calm under pressure and crisis
• Empathetic and able to relate to staff and patients
• Ability to stay organized and meet tight deadlines with competing priorities
• Ability to interact with persons from a variety of social, economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds
• Continuous demonstration of behaviors aligned with a posture of servant leadership and our cultural values

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates primarily in a residential treatment facility environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers, and smartphones.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to bend or stoop as necessary. This position must be mobile throughout the facility, as well as work on a computer for periods. This position must also be capable of withstanding the high-heat atmospheric conditions created within the lodge as part of the ceremony.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Hours are generally 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Travel

Some travel is expected for this position, as needed to meet with Tribal/Agency/Nation leaders and meet referral and program needs.

Required Education, Experience, or Eligibility Qualifications

• Associate's degree or high school education with training/experience in the following:

• Demonstrated working knowledge of community services in the region with a particular understanding of services that are provided for the population living within the facility;
• Proven experience in case management, including organizing, problem-solving, and advocating;
• Trained in the addiction process, correctional system, and mental health issues;
• Knowledge of eligibility for and applications procedures of federal and state entitlement programs;
• Knowledge of legal liability issues relating to providing case management, including HIPAA;

• Valid driver's license
• Ability to use computer software programs, including the Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Education and Experience

• A Bachelor of Social Work or degree in Addiction, Psychology, or Counseling

EEO Statement

Volunteers of America Northern Rockies is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics. Volunteers of America Northern Rockies will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact us at 307-672-0475.