Community Health, Wellness, and Safety Peer Specialist

Recovery Coaching is a peer-based recovery support service that is non-clinical and designed to engage others beyond initiation through stabilization and into recovery maintenance. The Community Based Harm Reduction Peer Recovery Specialist provides peer-assisted guidance to individuals in active use working to connect to services. The peer specialist would also provide harm reduction supplies to individuals in the community. This position aids in removing barriers and obstacles to recovery by serving as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking or in recovery.

Essential Job Functions

· Work with EMS, local hospitals, local Department of Health, as well as other community organizations. The peer support specialist will assist in identifying individuals who have recently experienced an overdose and provide Narcan and connect the individual to other services as appropriate. Educate and distribute harm reduction supplies such as but not limited to Narcan, testing strips and Deterra Bags to individuals at risk of an overdose or have recently overdosed.

• Help a PWUD find and utilize if necessary resources for harm reduction, detox, treatment, family support and education, local or online support groups which may include accompanying clients to initial self-help meetings.

• Work with the DOH and other agencies using OD Maps and other resources to identify overdose “hotspots” and distribute harm reduction supplies to those hotspots.

· Assist clients with applying to referral agencies and programs.

· Assist clients with evaluating and addressing any barriers with social determinants of health that may impact their overall wellness.

• Provide non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or incarceration.

• Conduct outreach both telephonically and in the community to assist with increasing motivation of services

• Help individuals get connected with MAT or MOUD providers.

· Operate vehicle (both personal and agency) for mobile peer services, client transportation etc.

· Create and maintain detailed consistent and accurate records documenting outreach, encounters, and services offered as well as referrals made.

· Adhere to agency policies and procedures regarding confidentiality and other governmental and/or agency regulations.

· Attends supervision on a regular basis for ongoing support and oversight.[MH1]

· Collaborate and co-operate with community supports and providers such as the department of social services, ACCES-VR program, local physicians’ offices, hospitals, etc. to help guide clients towards successful attainment of their Harm Reduction goals.

· Participate and help facilitate Harm Reduction Committee meetings including recruiting PWUD in said meetings.

Secondary Functions

Attend regular supervision for ongoing support and oversight.

· Participates as a contributing member of an interdisciplinary team in coordination and delivery of care.

· Participates in professional education that supports continuous improvement of care including weekly case management staff meetings.

· Consistently reviews policies and procedures and stays abreast of current laws, regulations and policies.

· Completes all mandatory trainings as assigned by supervisor

· Will be expected to participate in on-call hours, as scheduled

· Performs other related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Ability to maintain mutual respect with peers in recovery in regards to their goals, aspirations, and talents while helping them understand and work through their triggers and unhealthy habits and thoughts.

· Knowledge of substance use disorders and their effects on the individual and family members including human behavior, attitudes, and motivations and their applicability in the recovery process.

· Ability to effectively manage and/or work with a diversity of clients with a range of needs.

· Ability to accurately prepare and maintain documentation of supports, recovery plans, reports, etc. utilizing computer databases and software programs including electronic health records.

· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, clients and the general public.

· Public speaking and community outreach and presentations required

· Ability to be a self-motivated and a self-starter

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be able to:

· Use a computer including keyboard and mouse operations; visual and/or auditory capacity.

· The employee may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

· Must possess valid driver’s license and be able to drive vehicle for agency business

The Recovery Coach must be able to prioritize situations and manage time, and may find that they are needed at irregular hours causing fatigue and stress. The recovery coach may experience stress and stress related symptoms due to interacting with clients in recovery. S/he may be exposed to illness and unsanitary conditions so must take care to protect their own health. They may also have to manage physically threatening clients and be prepared to be responsible for their own safety, and the safety of others.

Work Environment

The employee is expected to adhere to strict policies/regulations relative to being in a tobacco and alcohol free workplace. Work is performed in both an office environment and in the community.

Qualifications

Minimum of a High School/GED diploma; an Associate’s degree with a major in human services, psychology, social work, counseling or other related field preferred. Must be eligible to work towards becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Advocate.

Requires a valid driver’s license with no more than 4 points and no moving violations within the past 6 months.

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
• Peer Support Specialist: 1 year (Preferred)
• SUD Clinical: 1 year (Preferred)
• Recovery: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• CRPA, CRPA-P (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Dansville, NY (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $18