Peer Recovery Support Specialist (Grand Funded)

The Peer Recovery Specialist’s role is to support others in recovery from alcohol and other drugs and/or mental issues. The specialist will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator for recovering individuals to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. The specialist must demonstrate an ability to share personal recovery experiences and develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships with people who use substances and/or have other wellness issues.

Exhibit unconditional positive regard to individuals at different stages of the recovery journey. Meet people where they are and provide education for every stage of the recovery journey. (i.e. adopting a harm reduction mindset, pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.) Identify internal/external barriers to full participation in a recovery pathway, and accessing community resources, and then develop individualized strategies for clients to overcome said barriers. Provide a model for both people in active use, in recovery, and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible. Assist harm reduction participants and recovering persons to identify their interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses regarding recovery pathways that work best for them. Promotes self-advocacy by assisting recovering persons to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals, and objectives established as the focal point of receiving harm reduction, rehabilitation, and the spectrum of clinical services. Continuously look for and identify ways to support and link service recipients to clinical and community resources that best support a recovering individual’s goals and interests. Provide vision-driven, hope, and encouragement towards opportunities at varying levels of involvement within community-based activities. Develops relationships with community groups and/or agencies to help advance the collective community effort for increased access to services while also reducing barriers and stigmas often associated with substance abuse, recovery, and treatment pathways. Visit community resources with recovering persons to assist persons in becoming familiar with opportunities to serve others. Maintain contact with recovering persons via phone and/or email even after the person has left the program to track progress/success and to provide re-engagement support if need be. Maintains logs, reports, and records within the appropriate files and databases. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibility.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); no exceptions.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

At least one (1) year of experience in a related field.

COMPUTER SKILLS

An individual should have knowledge of word processing software.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a valid driver's license with a driving history verified through a motor vehicle report that meets the requirements for Cherokee Nation underwriting rating. Must possess Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certification from the State of Oklahoma (ODMHSAS).

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

The employee must not be and will not be under sanction by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or by the General Services Administration (GSA) or listed on the OIG's Cumulative Sanction Report, or the GSA's List of Excluded Providers, or listed on the OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). At least one (1) year of lived recovery experience with alcohol, drugs, and/or other related conditions is required to qualify said individual to perform the unique duties of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Some evenings required