Peer Recovery Coach

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Inc•New Orleans, LA

12d•$20 - $20

About The Position

The Peer Recovery Coach provides aftercare (Lagniappe) peer support to graduates of the residential center, including community-based peer support and groups for alumni and residents. The role coordinates outreach events with Crescent Care and other partners through the Substance Use Mobile Resource Clinic (SUMR). As the residential center opens, the coach must be flexible and help the team launch and scale services. The position is supervised by the Clinical Director and has no supervisory duties. The coach supports programming across ASAM residential levels of care 3.5, 3.3, and 3.1, as well as the implementation and evaluation phases of the Regional Partnership Grant. The role works with supervisors and residential center staff to provide high-quality, efficient, team-based care consistent with accreditation and funding requirements. Services include recovery support planning, peer support and groups, referrals, accompaniment to community settings, outreach, education and distribution of life-saving supplies, and accurate documentation in the EHR. Work is performed in an office and in the community, including the residences of persons served. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with flexibility for rare early-morning, late-night, or weekend SUMR events scheduled in advance. Occasional holiday group coverage is required. Frequent local travel and rare statewide travel may be required. The employee must be prepared to enact the agency and program Emergency Operations Plan during emergencies, which may involve evacuation or sheltering in place with persons served and staff.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Lived experience with a substance use disorder diagnosis and at least 12 months of continuous demonstrated recovery.
Registered Peer Support Specialist credential required; it may be obtained after hire.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Advanced computer skills and advanced skills with electronic health systems.
Ability to interact respectfully with staff at all levels while remaining flexible, proactive, and task-oriented.
Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, accuracy, flexibility, reliability, and prioritization skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Ability to pass a criminal history investigation; not all convictions exclude candidates from hiring.
Ability to pass drug screening tests as required by agency policies and procedures.
Complete tuberculosis screening before employment and be free from communicable tuberculosis, as determined through skin testing or a physician-recommended chest exam.
Ability to maintain First Aid, CPR, and seizure assessment training.
Current driver’s license issued by the state of residence.
Current vehicle inspection decal, vehicle insurance, and vehicle registration in the state of residence.
Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report.
Ability to work in an office and community settings, including the residences of persons served, and to travel frequently locally and rarely statewide.
Ability to provide occasional holiday group coverage and flexibility for rare early-morning, late-night, or weekend SUMR events scheduled in advance.
Ability to participate in emergency response, including possible evacuation or sheltering in place.

Nice To Haves

At least 24–36 months or more of continuous demonstrated recovery.
Experience working with women experiencing substance use disorders.
Familiarity with trauma-informed and culturally sensitive practices.

Responsibilities

Support the Assistant Vice President of Integrated & Behavioral Health in designing and implementing programming across ASAM residential levels of care 3.5, 3.3, and 3.1, and aftercare peer support services.
Support completion of the Implementation and Evaluation Phases of the Regional Partnership Grant, including compliance with RPG research requirements.
Work with supervisory and residential center staff to provide high-quality, efficient, team-based care in compliance with accreditation and funding requirements.
Conduct Recovery Support Planning with persons served to guide peer support services.
Provide peer support to persons served in the Lagniappe phase, including information about recovery and sharing personal recovery experiences.
Transport or accompany persons served to community settings to access resources or practice newly acquired skills.
Facilitate weekly peer support groups for ASAM level 3.1 residents and weekly Lagniappe peer support groups for alumni.
Schedule and coordinate nightly in-house 12-step and other community-based support groups for the residential center.
Spend an average of 14 hours per week with Crescent Care and other partners providing peer support at SUMR outreach events; facilitate referrals to other VOASELA services as appropriate and complete required documentation.
Use situational awareness, active listening, and empathetic responses to de-escalate interpersonal conflicts and promote safety.
Provide education about and distribute life-saving supplies and services to community members.
Accurately record receipt and distribution of Louisiana Department of Health Overdose Prevention & Response Hub Site supplies.
Complete concurrent documentation and accurately record information in each person’s EHR within one business day.
Ensure VOASELA policies, procedures, and practices are followed.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Help maintain a recovery-oriented environment based on Therapeutic Community principles.
Support program activities, including Child Watch and Med Calls.
Follow the designated dress code.
Maintain required confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Maintain First Aid, CPR, and seizure assessment training.
Participate in occasional holiday group coverage and enact the Emergency Operations Plan when required.