Peer Recovery Coach

Howard University•Washington DC, DC

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Recovery Coach provides non-clinical services intended to aid patients in establishing recovery from a high risk of alcohol and drug use problems. The Peer Recovery Coach will work as part of the Howard University Urban Health Initiative team to provide peer support and motivation to encourage patients who are seeking treatment for alcohol or drug dependency and addiction issues. The Peer Recovery Coach will assist in completing referrals to treatment services and developing service plans to promote successful linkage to treatment services. Services will be provided at Howard University and in the community with appropriate follow-up.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
Actively engaged in his/her own recovery program with a minimum of three years of demonstrated personal recovery and sustained abstinence from alcohol and/or drug use.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to relate to patients and health professionals.
Ability to develop professional working relationships with partner agencies.
Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
Good problem-solving skills.
Ability to read, interpret documents and write routine reports.
Basic computer skills.
Willingness to learn and an interest in acquiring new skills.

Responsibilities

Conducts brief interventions to patients who screen positive for alcohol and/or drug use.
Identifies patient’s history of drug/alcohol use, treatment history, motivation to change behavior and other needs for community support services.
Identifies patient’s readiness to change and uses motivational interviewing techniques and other communication skills to support a plan for reducing or eliminating harmful drug and/or alcohol use.
Works with program staff and case managers to identify community support services.
Assists patient and family with understanding how to utilize these community services.
Assists patients in linking to community support services and substance treatment services, including securing appointments and transportation.
Acts as a peer support at medication-assisted therapy appointments as appropriate to facilitate attainment of goals.
Provides family members with recovery support materials.
Provides telephone and community outreach to patients to assist with linkages and continued peer support.
Models coping techniques and self-help strategies.
Participates in trainings to continually gain new skills.
Attends required staff and other meetings.
Completes required documentation and other reports.
Acts as a resource to other clinical team members on recovery support.
Consults with staff as requested, even if the patient does not screen positive.
Notifies case management staff before visiting the patient.
Telephones treatment providers to verify the patient showed up for the appointment and follows up by telephone with any patient that misses an appointment.