Peer Support Coach- Part Time (20Hrs/Week)-Dc- ER Physicians

The Peer Recovery Coach provides non-clinical services intended to aid patients in establishing recovery from high-risk dependent alcohol and drug use problems. The Peer Recovery Coach works as part of the Emergency Department 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 assists in completing referrals to treatment services and developing service plans to promote successful linkage to treatment services. Services are provided in the Emergency Department with appropriate follow-up. The position reports to the Emergency Medicine Director of Research and Advocacy.

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Bachelor's Degree Related or unrelated field (Preferred)

Minimum Work Experience

2 years Minimum of two years of professional experience in a substance use disorder setting providing peer support/navigation; (Required)

2 years Personal Substance Abuse Recovery (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to relate to patients and health professionals, and the ability to develop professional working relationships with partner agencies.

Must possess excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills and good problem-solving skills.

Must be able to read, interpret documents, and write routine reports.

Basic computer skills required.

Must demonstrate a willingness to learn and an interest in acquiring new skills.

Required Licenses and Certifications

Certified Peer Specialist through the DC Department of Behavioral Health; and/or a Recovery Coach. Upon Hire (Required)

Functional Accountabilities

Works with Emergency Medicine Advocacy Coordinator and clinical staff

• Works with ED research staff, advocacy coordinator, and social worker to identify community support services.

• Acts as peer support throughout the hospitalization and post-discharge, as appropriate to facilitate the attainment of goals.

• Provides family members with recovery support materials.

• Participates in training 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.

• Consult with research staff, advocacy coordinator, nursing staff, and social work as requested, even if the patient does not screen positive.

• Notifies the research staff and patient's nurse before visiting the patient.

Non-clinical Services and Patient Support

• Provides support and guidance to patients who test positive for alcohol 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 use motivational interviewing techniques and other communication skills to support a plan for reducing or eliminating harmful drug and/or alcohol use.

• 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 appointment and transportation.

• Provides telephone outreach to patients to assist with linkages and continued peer support.

• Models coping techniques and self-help strategies.

• Telephones treatment providers to verify patient showed up for appointment; and follow-up by telephone with any patient that misses an appointment.

Organizational Accountabilities

Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance