Emergency Department Peer Support Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This position is assigned to MUSC – Lancaster Emergency Department, but is an employee of Counseling Services of Lancaster through a grant. The Peer Support Specialist will provide non-clinical services intended to aid patients in establishing recovery from substance use disorder or high-risk use of substances. The individual will work as part of the Emergency Department Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (ED MOUD) team to provide peer support for patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders. The candidate will assist in screening patients admitted to the MUSC ED and hospital with substance misuse. The candidate will use motivational interviewing skills to assess motivation for change and help patients set and obtain goals. The candidate will facilitate coordination and promote successful linkage to outpatient substance treatment and provide a warm hand-off to Counseling Services of Lancaster. The Peer Support Specialist will also serve as a patient advocate for individuals they are serving and integrate with hospital staff to reduce stigma. The individual will be available for patients after discharge for support and to troubleshoot any outpatient barriers to care. Services will be provided in the MUSC ED setting with appropriate follow-up.

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and screen ED patients for problematic substance use and conduct brief intervention. The individual will also further assess patients who have screened positive for problematic use by other hospital staff. Once identified, they will assess patient’s readiness to change and use motivational interviewing techniques to support a plan. The peer navigator will work closely with clinical staff to refer for psychosocial needs and evaluation for medication assisted treatment.
• Work with patients and ED team to identify community support services and facilitate and coordinate successful linkage to outpatient treatment, or other treatment options as appropriate. The individual will assist patients and family members with understanding how to utilize community services. This includes helping patients identify barriers to successful linkage to outpatient treatment, transportation, lack of photo ID, etc.) and help the patient solve problems. PSS will provide warm handoff providers.
• Act as peer support to hospitalized patients and help patients facilitate attainment of patient’s goals in collaboration with inpatient peer team, complex care case manager and social workers and other support staff. This includes providing patients and family with recovery resources and information and providing warm handoffs as appropriate. The individual will model healthy coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Contact patients and serve as a resource post-discharge. Consent patients for contact after discharge by the team and attempt to contact within 48 hours of discharge to assess any barriers to transitions of care. Additionally, follow up with treatment providers and patients to check status of follow up treatment appointment after discharge. Contact patients by telephone that have missed an appointment to assess barriers.
• Attend required staff and weekly meetings and complete required documentation and reports. Report patient outcomes.
• Serve as a patient advocate and integrate with hospital staff to reduce the stigma of addiction. The individual will act as a resource to other clinical team members on recovery support.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or G.E.D. is required. Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Counseling, or related field preferred. The candidate must be actively engaged in his/her own recovery program with a minimum of three years demonstrated personal recovery and sustained abstinence from alcohol and/or drug use. Basic computer skills are required. Individual must complete Certified Peer Support Specialist training and maintain credential.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $38,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:

• Lancaster, SC 29720 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Lancaster, SC 29720: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $38,000