Opioid Response Specialist

City of Myrtle Beach•Sc, SC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will play a vital part of a multi-faceted response team created to battle the Opioid epidemic within the Myrtle Beach community through preventative outreach initiatives as well as emergency response to surviving overdose cases, and/or individuals with Opioid Use Disorder in crisis, to provide empathetic and therapeutic support through community engagement of resources to encourage and facilitate recovery. The goal of this position is to provide support to those suffering from substance use disorder who may have experienced an overdose or another related crisis event.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma or GED
Two years of experience with provisions of services to persons with substance use disorder.
Experience with basic office equipment and computer programs (Microsoft Office, etc.)
Must be certified as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist through the state of South Carolina and have annual certification updates.
Must possess a valid Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of current substance use disorder treatment models.
Knowledge of various local recovery, harm reduction, and social service agencies.
Knowledge of drug and alcohol addiction laws and regulations.
Knowledge of federal and state laws, local ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs and applications.
Skill in collaboration with local agencies to coordinate linkage of care and recovery services based on the needs and/or wants of the individual in crisis.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the individuals by building rapport to gain their trust and respect despite their willingness to pursue recovery.
Skill in understanding that various interactions with individuals and situations may call for different and distinct skills.
Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to read and prepare reports, forms, correspondence, or other documents.
Ability to work independently, work well with others, and manage time effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the general public.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with Myrtle Beach Fire Department and other first responding agencies, this position will either respond to the scene of an overdose in a support capacity and/or follow up with an individual after an overdose.
Utilizing the Warm Hand-Off strategy, schedule subsequent points of contact on set intervals with individual in the program.
During each point of contact, the Opioid Response Specialist will build rapport with the individual, as well as anyone else present who might have been negatively impacted.
Utilizing informational guidance the opioid response specialist will assist individuals on how to navigate through the care system and various services available, they will attempt to encourage the individual towards recovery and/or any harm reduction services in a preventative attempt to avert any future crisis events.
Provide advocacy when needed to assist individuals with finding resources.
Provide follow up on assigned clients to ensure contacts were made with appropriate referrals.
Provide informational guidance of the harm reduction services available in an attempt to avert any future crisis events.
For those ready for recovery, provide an explanation of services (inclusive of the option of MAT/MOUD) allowing the individual to choose the recovery service and/or related support resources that is best for them.
Connect with any loved ones who were negatively impacted by an overdose to provide ways to manage self-care, to embolden an individual suffering from substance use disorder towards recovery, and/or potential counseling services for themselves.
Attend and participate in public education related events
Develop and maintain effective working relationships.
Maintain accurate and complete records as well as provide confidentiality of all private, confidential and sensitive information.
Attend required department and city-wide trainings
Performs other related duties as assigned, requested and required.