Moundsville Peer Liaison

FIRST CHOICE SERVICES INC•Moundsville, WV

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The First Choice Services City of Moundsville Peer Liaison provides peer support to people experiencing addiction, behavioral health issues, or other social-service and concrete needs. The Peer Liaison serves as a role model and coach by applying professional ethics, recovery practices, coping skills, advocacy, and information and referral services to support personal wellness and long-term recovery. The role also supports law-enforcement deflection and diversion initiatives, including Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), Quick Response Teams, and the Angel Initiative. The Peer Liaison may assist officers by connecting individuals with substance-use-disorder and behavioral-health treatment, arranging transportation, and completing required documentation. The role helps clients navigate resources and support across multiple programs and community agencies, and may participate in outreach connected with First Choice Services’ collaboration with the City of Moundsville. First Choice Services is the employer of record and provides human resources support and supervision. The City of Moundsville is responsible for day-to-day performance management and site supervision.

Requirements

Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification, or at least two years in recovery and the ability and commitment to obtain certification within one year of employment.
Lived personal experience with substance use disorder or addiction.
Ongoing involvement with a personal support and/or recovery system.
At least the two most recent years in recovery, with no substance-use-disorder treatment during the preceding six months, except medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
No justice-system involvement within the last two years.
No intensive behavioral-health treatment, including intensive outpatient care, crisis stabilization or detoxification, residential treatment, or psychiatric hospitalization, within the last year.
Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, insurance, and reliable transportation.
Basic computer and data-entry skills.
Knowledge of recovery principles.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to read, write, and speak fluent English.
Ability to prepare concise and accurate records and reports.
Ability to multitask accurately under distracting conditions.
Organizational, problem-solving, client-service, computer, initiative, integrity, cooperation, flexibility, and independent-working skills.
Ability to maintain composure and a positive, friendly demeanor in stressful situations, and to actively listen.
Adherence to the WVCBAPP PRSS Code of Ethics.
Respect client privacy and provide services ethically while maintaining participant dignity.
Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Good hygiene and dress appropriate to the position or as directed by the City Manager.

Nice To Haves

Primary residence in Moundsville is preferred; applicants from other areas will be considered.

Responsibilities

Promote ongoing recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders using written recovery plans and tracking progress toward goals.
Help clients identify goals and develop recovery plans that draw on their skills, strengths, support, and resources.
Support the wellness of people facing social, emotional, behavioral-health, housing, or other challenges by providing information, referrals, community resources, natural supports, contacts, and support-group information.
Work with the assigned law-enforcement team to meet clients where they are and facilitate deflection and diversion through a community partnership based on the CIT model.
Maintain a professional demeanor appropriate to First Choice Services, the law-enforcement team, the City of Moundsville, and the community.
Coach peers in identifying and using strengths, building resilience, and overcoming barriers to recovery.
Help individuals recognize environmental and interpersonal factors and risk behaviors associated with substance use.
Help individuals find harm-reduction, detoxification, treatment, family, community, peer-support, educational, and local or online support-group resources.
Assist clients in working with their treatment teams to support progress toward goals and self-directed recovery.
Document client contacts, outreach participation, and other approved work activities, including in the electronic database and other required systems.
Gather and exchange information based on callers’ needs and circumstances, and communicate information about suitable treatment services and available support without bias.
Follow up with clients to monitor progress, address concerns, and provide further information, referrals, and support.
Participate in outreach activities as needed.
Follow First Choice Services, City of Moundsville, and Moundsville Police Department policies and procedures.
Transport clients for various needs.
Participate in clinical supervision twice monthly and meet with the Program Director monthly.
Complete continuing education, professional development, staff meetings, quality improvement, and performance reviews as required.
Protect client privacy under HIPAA and other applicable laws, provide services ethically while maintaining participant dignity, and follow mandated-reporter and duty-of-care standards to support caller safety.
Perform other duties as assigned.