Peer Recovery Coach

WVU Medicine • Bluefield, WV

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a personal guide and liaison for individuals with substance use disorders identified in WVU Health System affiliated treatment settings. The Peer Recovery Coach assists patients in identifying treatment needs, developing and monitoring individualized treatment and wellness plans, and remaining engaged in treatment. The role provides outreach, support, and recovery check-ups in treatment settings and in the community, and functions as part of a treatment team.

The position works with patients in WVU Medicine treatment settings, connects them to outpatient treatment and community resources, and provides mentoring based on lived experience. The coach meets with individuals and their identified support persons in person or by phone, as agreed upon, and communicates relevant information to the treatment team. The role also supports patients in crisis and serves as a liaison among patients, their formal and informal supports, treatment providers, and community agencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Complete state- or nationally recognized Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification training within 90 days of hire.
• Obtain peer recovery certification issued by the state board where services are provided within one year of hire: WV PRSS-SUD certification through WVCBAPP, or Maryland CPRS certification through the Maryland Addiction & Behavioral-Health Professionals Certification Board.
• Complete state criminal background check and federal background check, if applicable, as required for regulated areas.
• Knowledge of treatment resources, including working knowledge of 12-Step Fellowships.
• Ability to comply with WVU Medicine, WVU Research Corporation, UHA, and Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry safety procedures.
• Complete HIPAA training upon hire and comply with HIPAA requirements, including refresher courses as determined by administration.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, pharmaceutical company personnel, regulatory and monitoring agency personnel, internal staff, physicians, students, and employees of WVU, WVU Medicine, and UHA.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to select solutions, solve practical problems, and deal with varied situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to develop goals and plans, prioritize, organize, and accomplish tasks independently and through others.
• Ability to develop and maintain constructive, cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Skilled in written and oral communication.
• Knowledge of basic computer applications, including Word and Excel.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull 10–15 pounds.
• Able to wear latex or vinyl gloves, change gloves frequently, and wash hands frequently; able to tolerate working with and around noxious odors.

Nice To Haves

• Valid driver’s license.
• Certificate of completion of CCAR Recovery Coaching in the Emergency Department.
• Active participation in recovery for two or more years and current active attendance at community recovery meetings.

Responsibilities

• Work with patients with substance use disorders identified in WVU Medicine treatment settings and help link them to outpatient treatment.
• Provide mentoring through life experience to individuals experiencing substance use problems.
• Meet with individuals and identified support persons in person or by phone, at a frequency and in a format requested and agreed upon by the individual.
• Develop individualized plans with patients and monitor wellness plans during meetings.
• Provide information to the treatment team to inform treatment decisions.
• Link patients to available resources, including continuing education and professional development, safe housing, recovery supports, self-help groups, substance abuse and mental health services, sobriety meetings, and medical and health facilities.
• Serve as a liaison to patients’ formal and informal supports, including referral sources, family members, sponsors, treatment providers, and other supporters.
• Maintain working relationships with WVU Medicine treatment staff and other agencies or institutions to promote awareness of recovery and the availability of recovery coaching.
• Assist patients in crisis situations involving social, emotional, health, and other problems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED