Lead Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is assigned to the Addiction Sciences Division of MUSC. The Lead Peer Recovery Coach will provide oversight for the Peer Recovery Coaches assigned to this and other projects and will provide support for onboarding and maintenance of certification for Peer Recovery/Certified Peer Support Coaches at MUSC (includes MUSC Charleston as well as other MUSC locations). Individual will provide regular meetings for wellness and oversight and manage administrative duties related to schedule, PRC coverage, and leave requests. The candidate will provide non-clinical services intended to aid patients in establishing recovery from dependence on alcohol and/or drugs 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 patient set and obtain goals. The candidate will facilitate coordination and promote successful linkage to outpatient substance treatment and provide a warm hand-off to community treatment providers. The Lead Peer Recovery Coach 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.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
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.
Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Frequent)
Ability to work indoors. (Continuous)
Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent)
Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent)
Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent)
Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Infrequent)
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent)
Ability to reach in all directions. (Frequent)
Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous)
Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous)
Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous)
Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous)
Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous)
Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous)
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous)
Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (Continuous)
Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Frequent)
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Frequent)
Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous)

Nice To Haves

Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Counseling, or related field preferred.
Individual must have completed the SC course for Certified Peer Support Specialist.
The applicant should demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to relate to patients and health professionals, as well as an ability to develop professional working relationships with partner agencies.
The candidate must possess excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills, as well as good problem-solving skills.
The incumbent must be able to read, interpret documents and write routine reports.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate a willingness to learn and an interest in acquiring new skills.
Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent)
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift/lower objects 15 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent)
Ability to lift from 36 inches to overhead 15 lbs. (Infrequent)

Responsibilities

Identify and screen patients in MUSC EDs (MUSC Charleston as well as other MUSC locations) for problematic substance use and conduct brief intervention and/or further assess patients who have screened positive for problematic use by other hospital staff. Once identified, assess patient’s readiness to change and use motivational interviewing techniques to support a plan of care. When appropriate, the peer navigator will work with care team for evaluation for medication assisted treatment & induction.
Work with patient and ED team to identify community support services and facilitate and coordinate successful linkage to rapid referral and other treatment options. The individual will assist patients and family members with understanding how to utilize community services and help link patient to outpatient and other substance treatment services. This includes helping patient identify barriers to successful linkage to treatment, such as transportation, lack of photo ID, etc.) and help the patient problem solve. Peer Recovery Coach may provide warm hand-off to community providers.
Provide peer support and help patient facilitate attainment of patient’s goals. This includes providing patient and family with recovery resources and information. The individual will model healthy coping techniques and self-help strategies.
Collaborate and participate in all regular meetings for wellness, credentialing and oversight of peer team per ED-initiated bup project protocol and ongoing needs.
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.
Contact patients and serve as a resource post-discharge. Contact patients by telephone that have missed an appointment to assess barriers.
Manage administrative duties related to schedule, PRC coverage, and leave requests
Attend additional required staff and weekly meetings, ongoing trainings as needed and complete required documentation and reports. Report patient outcomes.
Performs other duties as required.