Peer Recovery Specialist

Sanford Health•Bemidji, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Recovery Specialist helps clients with their substance use or mental health disorder in a strengths-based, patient-centered team approach to recovery. This is a non-clinical role that works collaboratively with substance use counselors, behavioral health counseling staff, and others to provide support for the patient and assist them with optimal engagement both in treatment and within the community. The Peer Recovery Specialist provides services on a one-to-one basis and provides advocacy, motivation, and role modeling for patients to assist in their recovery. This role requires the individual to have their own lived experience in addiction and maintain healthy personal boundaries while serving in this capacity. The Peer Recovery Specialist works as an integral member of the health care team to ensure safety, best practice, and high-quality standards of care are maintained across the continuum. They provide recovery support to individuals who can benefit from the peer's lived experiences and are responsible for coordinating a wide range of recovery and self-management support for the clinic's patient population dealing with addictions. The role assists patients as they go through the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process, providing support in the form of telephone calls or in-person sessions and seeking regular progress updates. They also assist patients with support and connection to other essential social services in the community, helping patients identify and articulate personal goals and objectives for recovery and wellness. The Peer Recovery Specialist advocates for the patient within the care system or other appropriate settings and systems, demonstrates HIPAA compliance, and articulates the recovery process, assisting patients through a self-directed plan. They have insight into appropriate times to share their personal story, relay the meaning and role of peer support, and identify the difference between counseling and peer support, as well as differentiating between treatment and recovery goals. The role maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the addiction recovery and peer support field, demonstrates the ability to nurture healing relationships and healthy choices for one's own health, recovery, and wellness, utilizes principles of cultural mindfulness, and adheres to their own recovery program.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age and have a previous history of substance use, and be a current or former consumer of mental health services.
Must be willing to share personal experience.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred.
Must demonstrate leadership and advocacy skills.
Must have completed, or be willing to complete certified peer recovery specialist (CRPS) (Includes 46 hours of training, passing score on IRCR Recovery Coach test).
Minnesota: Preferred successful completion of the Minnesota Department of Human Services approved Certified Peer Specialist training.
Once approved as a Certified Peer Specialist, must maintain certification.
May also require successful completion of Sanford Clinic Navigation Certification, depending on setting.
Preference of possessing a valid class D driver's license and auto insurance.
Must maintain a good driving record.
Preference of hire having access to personal vehicle and willingness to use the vehicle in carrying out position responsibilities.
Basic Life Support (BLS) training and certification within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Previous history of substance use
Current or former consumer of mental health services
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred
Certified peer recovery specialist (CRPS)
Minnesota Department of Human Services approved Certified Peer Specialist training
Sanford Clinic Navigation Certification
Valid class D driver's license and auto insurance
Access to personal vehicle and willingness to use the vehicle in carrying out position responsibilities

Responsibilities

Provides services on a one-to-one basis and provides advocacy, motivation, and role modeling for patients to assist in their recovery.
Works as an integral member of the health care team to ensure safety, best practice, and high quality standards of care are maintained across the continuum.
Provides recovery support to individuals who can benefit from the peer's lived experiences.
Responsible for coordinating a wide range of recovery and self-management support for the clinic's patient population who are dealing with addictions.
Assists patients as they go through the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process.
Provides recovery support in form of telephone calls or in-person sessions.
Seeks regular progress updates with patients.
Assists patients with support and connection to other essential social services that exist in the community.
Supports patients in identifying and articulating personal goals and objectives necessary for recovery and wellness.
Advocates for the patient in the care system or in other appropriate settings and systems.
Demonstrates HIPAA compliance.
Articulates the recovery process for patients and assists patients through a self-directed plan.
Has insight to the appropriate times to share personal story.
Relays the meaning and role of peer support.
Identifies the difference between counseling and peer support.
Differentiates between treatment and recovery goals.
Maintains a working knowledge of the current trends and development in the addiction recovery and peer support field.
Demonstrates ability to nurture healing relationships and healthy choices for one's own health, recovery, and wellness.
Utilizes principles of cultural mindfulness.
Adheres to own recovery program and demonstrates healthy choices for one's own health, recovery, and wellness.