Peer Support Assistant - Institute for Juvenile Research, College of Medicine

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago is seeking Peer Support Assistants (PSAs) for the multi-year Chicago Data-driven Opioid Screening, Engagement, Treatment and Prevention (C-DOSETaP) Program. PSAs use established community relationships and credibility to raise awareness of the research, respond to questions and concerns, build trust, and recruit participants, including people from diverse and underrepresented populations. They also support ongoing participant engagement and retention throughout the study. The role involves outreach and recruitment in community and social service settings, maintaining contact with enrolled participants, documenting activities, and working with the study team to support recruitment and follow-up. The position is on-site in Chicago, Illinois, with a flexible weekday schedule. Illinois residency is required within 180 days of employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One year (12 months) of lived experience in sustained recovery and re-entry in substance abuse involving illicit drug or alcohol dependency. This may include personal experience as a parent, guardian, or loved one who has supported someone through such a journey.
Valid and current appropriate State of Illinois driver’s license and proof of insurance at the time of appointment.
Illinois residency within 180 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Conduct outreach, education, and engagement activities to identify and recruit study participants.
Recruit study participants.
Track and maintain contact with study participants after enrollment.
Maintain high rates of retention in research follow-up assessments.
Participate in and successfully complete clinical research and IRB training requirements.
Maintain logs and document outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow-up activities.
Conduct outreach, education, and participant recruitment at community and social service agencies, including food distribution sites, needle and syringe exchange programs, health clinics, hospital emergency departments, health fairs, and other community events.
Follow confidentiality and privacy protections for people with opioid or other substance use and for study participants, and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
May attend local or national meetings and conferences to discuss peer outreach activities and practices and disseminate research results.
Meet regularly with the study team to track and manage community outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow-up activities and address recruitment and data-retention issues.
Attend scheduled or required meetings with the site Project Director or other study leadership team.
Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.