Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Job Details: Job Location: Clarksburg, WV (Police Department) - Clarksburg, WV, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Position Overview

The First Choice Services Peer Recovery Coach provides peer support services to clients with addiction problems. The Peer Recovery Coach functions as a role model and coach to those seeking personal wellness and long-term recovery by adhering to professional ethics, demonstrating competencies, using effective coping skills, serving as an advocate, using best practices and providing information and referral.

Additionally, the First Choice Services Peer Recovery Coach answers various crisis and help lines assisting callers with information and referral for needed resources. The Peer Recovery Coach is responsible for providing excellent customer service to callers by taking the time to understand their unique circumstances and needs, providing options for help, support and treatment.

Peer Recovery Coaches are characterized by their patience, empathy and helpful natures. Peer Recovery Coaches are trained and expected to work within multiple programs, the array of which may change according to agency needs and growth.

Essential Job Functions

· Promote ongoing recovery from substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders using written recovery plans and tracking progress toward goals. Support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving goals.

· Act as a guide/coach for peers by helping them identify and utilize strengths, develop resilience and overcome personal and environmental barriers that jeopardize recovery.

· Help individuals identify environmental factors, interpersonal factors and/or risk behaviors that are associated with their substance use behaviors in effort to help support their recovery efforts.

· Help individuals find resources for harm reduction, detoxification, treatment, family/community/peer support and education, and local or online support groups.

· Assist clients in working with their treatment team to support progress toward goals and self-directed recovery.

· Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals or groups.

· Teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and the Peer Support Specialist to share their experiences.

· Assist clients with information and referral by providing useful contacts, community resources and groups that will be useful. Assist with identification of natural supports.

· Appropriately document all client contact, outreach participation, and other approved work activities.

· Gather and exchange information based on the caller’s needs and individual circumstances.

· Communicate information about various appropriate treatment services and available supports without bias.

· Answer incoming calls, texts and chats, and document caller interactions with the electronic database as well as within other systems as needed.

· Follow-up with callers to monitor and track success, field concerns and provide further information, referral and support as needed.

· Participate in outreach activities as needed.

· Adhere to all policies and procedures.

Non-Essential Job Functions

· Client transportation for various reasons.

Requirements

· High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.

· Lived personal experience with substance use challenges/addiction required.

· Ongoing involvement with a personal support and/or recovery system.

· Residence in stable, recovery-supportive housing for the last six months.

· No legal involvement within the last six months.

· No intensive behavioral health treatment (intensive outpatient, crisis stabilization/detoxification, residential treatment and/or psychiatric hospitalization) within the last six months.

· Minimum of two most recent years in recovery with no SUD treatment for the preceding six months, excepting MAT.

· Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification or ongoing progress toward PRSS certification.

· Valid Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record and insurance, and reliable transportation.

· Basic computer and data entry skills.

· Knowledge of the principles of recovery.

· Exceptional interpersonal skills.

· Adherence to the PRSS Code of Ethics

· Participation in Clinical Supervision twice monthly.

· Meet with Program Director once a month.

· Continuing education as required by certification.

· Compassion and understanding for those challenged by mental health, addiction and/or suicidal ideation.

· Compassion and understanding for all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, disability, marital or veteran status.

· Respect each caller’s privacy rights under HIPAA and other applicable laws and regulations during the provision of services.

· Provide all services in an ethical manner while maintaining participant dignity.

· Participate in professional development, staff meetings, continuing education, quality improvement and performance review as required.

· Provide for the safety and wellbeing of callers following all applicable mandated reporter and duty of care standards.

· Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

Other Skills/Abilities

· Ability to multi-task: Manages multiple tasks at one time; quickly and accurately shifts attention among multiple tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy or appearance of frustration.

· Communication skills: Reads, writes and speaks fluent English in order to convey information and ideas effectively. Demonstrates exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to prepare concise and accurate records and reports.

· Organizational ability: Demonstrates a systematic approach in carrying out tasks and assignments.

· Problem solving skills: Demonstrates a strong ability to properly identify and analyze problems. Able to follow the proper policies and procedures to solve identified problems.

· Client service skills: Consistently ensures that participants are provided with attentive, courteous and informative service. Gains and shows personal satisfaction from delivering expected service elements.

· Computer skills: Comfortably and confidently uses a computer and specialized software.

· Initiative: Self-motivated and shows willingness to accomplish multiple tasks as assigned.

· Integrity: Firmly adheres to the values and ethics of First Choice Services. Exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.

· Cooperativeness: Willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary; promptly share relevant information with others.

· Flexibility: Is open to changing situations and opportunities and is willing to perform all tasks assigned.

· Independence: Able and willing to perform tasks and duties without direct supervision.

· Tolerance for Stress / Resiliency: Maintains a positive outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and unpleasantness, and maintains composure and friendly demeanor while dealing with stressful situations.

· Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.

Working Environment

· A climate controlled, contact center environment.

· Constant usage of phone and computer systems.

Physical Requirements

· Limited physical effort required with limited exposure to physical risk.

· Ability to lift 35 pounds unassisted. Heavier weight with assistance.

· Overnight travel may be required.
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