Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Navigator (DOH/PHD#10117826)

New Mexico Department of Health; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 57,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Department of Health is seeking a CARA Navigator to support families affected by in-utero substance exposure. You will assess needs, coordinate with hospitals, providers, and managed care organizations, and help families access services under CARA.

The role emphasizes completing comprehensive family assessments, maintaining plans of care, and linking resources while collaborating with state agencies. Travel and occasional non-standard hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Social Work or related field with 1 year of social work/coordination experience.
• Experience with data entry, QA, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive practices and tribal communities.
• Experience working independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with case management systems, electronic databases, and tracking systems.
• Ability to perform UAT, document results, and collaborate with technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Complete comprehensive family assessments and build plans of care under CARA law.
• Conduct home visits to engage families and ensure services are accessed.
• Coordinate with hospitals, providers, and state agencies for referrals.
• Lead CARA workgroup discussions and assist in program implementation.
• Provide outreach to targeted populations across the state.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Data analysis

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Associate's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Education, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Family Studies/Services, Social Sciences, or Human Services and one year of related experience

Tools

Case management systems

Electronic databases

Job description

Salary

$27.37 - $41.06 Hourly

$56,931 - $85,396 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C7

Program Overview

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Program is designed to support families whose child has been born substance exposed. CARA Navigators will work with the family, hospitals, providers and managed care organizations to identify the best support systems for the family and break down any barriers that may be preventing families from accessing services. CARA Navigators will assess and identify additional resources to meet the needs of each individual family.

Why does the job exist?

Incumbents will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the CARA state law that became effective July 1, 2019. This law (CARA) requires the creation of a plan of care for every newborn with in-utero substance exposure and provides an opportunity to offer supportive services for parents with substance use and their infants. The CARA Navigator will be responsible for completing comprehensive family assessments, building working relationships with families, working with other state agencies/hospitals, and supporting them in accessing needed services.

How does it get done?

CARA Navigators review every plan of care to make sure it's complete and that insurance information is captured to ensure correct referrals to the right insurance for care coordination. They also complete comprehensive family assessments and revise the plan as necessary based on needs identified.

CARA Navigators conduct home visits with families who have a plan of care to support engagement in services as well as compliance with state law and rules regarding CARA. They also contact Statewide Central Intake (SCI) when there are safety concerns.

Additional Job Duties

• Assisting in training providers and individuals in CARA law and how to create a plan of care
• Providing outreach to target populations throughout the state
• Providing technical assistance to providers as needed on CARA and plan of care
• Managing and participating in the ongoing CARA workgroup by developing agendas and leading workgroup discussion in topics related to CARA
• Working with other state agencies in continued implementation of CARA across various sectors

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including spreadsheets, formulas, data tracking, and report generation.
• Experience with data entry, quality assurance, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive practices and experience working with tribal communities
• Experience working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience with case management systems, electronic databases, and tracking systems
• Ability to perform user acceptance testing, document testing results, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with technical teams to improve database functionality and reporting processes.

Ideal Candidate

• Knowledge in the following areas: Potential impact of substance use and substance exposure on individual and family functioning.
• Possess a working knowledge of resources in the community, as well as how to facilitate connections to resources, that have the capacity to support the family in maintaining stability.
• Experience Working With Individuals Who Have Experienced Substance Abuse. Have knowledge of, and experience working with individuals from a strength-based de stigmatization approach.
• Ability to multitask, work as a team, and communicate effectively.

Minimum Qualification

Associate's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Education, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Family Studies/Services, Social Sciences, or Human Services and one (1) year of experience as a social work assistant and/or in social or community coordination, working with communities, working on health or social service related matters, social work/case management experience, and/or behavioral health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (3) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting: late hours and weekends work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel may be required. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints. Must have own mode of transportation. Incumbent may be required to furnish a personal vehicle for carrying out assignments.

Who are the customers?

Those who enroll into the CARA program, internal and external partners, outreach programs.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.