Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Westside is looking for a Peer Recovery Support Specialist to join the team! Join the team that makes a difference in the local community!

Westside Family Healthcare is a nonprofit organization that provides high quality primary medical care without regard to ability to pay. The Peer Recovery Support Specialist is a core member of the collaborative care team who coordinates the peer recovery and support services for patients with substance use and mental health problems. Service provision will focus on working with patients and families to enhance their recovery. The Peer Recovery Support Specialist will mentor and help patients in recovery by providing person-centered support, guidance, hope, encouragement, education, care navigation, and advocacy to address barriers to care, including social determinants of health. The Peer Recovery Support Specialist will work closely with the primary care and behavioral health teams to support patients.

Since opening our doors in 1988, Westside has been driven by our mission to improve the health of our communities by providing equal access to quality healthcare. With 240 team members, five health centers, one mobile health unit and over 27,000 patients all across Delaware, Westside is committed to improving health, one patient, one family, one community at a time.

Our Mission: To improve the health of our communities by providing equal access to quality healthcare Our Vision: Achieve health equity for all Our Values:

• Compassion: Lead with compassion
• Service: Serve with humility
• Excellence: Be exceptional
• Empowerment: Empower all people

Our benefits: Our benefit package includes medical insurance (two plans to choose from), dental insurance (through Guardian Dental), vision insurance, life insurance paid by Westside with the option to purchase more paid, short-term disability paid for by Westside, long term disability paid by the employee, a 401(k) retirement plan with a match, and supplemental insurances. We offer a generous PTO package and flexibility to provide work/life balance. Westside Family Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity.

Responsibilities:

1. Identify and assist patients in need of MOUD services through outreach to connect them and to keep them engaged in MOUD treatment and/or behavioral health services as appropriate
2. Collaborate and communicate progress and barriers with the PCP, Behavioral Health and the care team as needed to create and implement individualized care plans for patients
3. Model competency in recovery/wellness and create a compassionate, safe environment to discuss substance abuse treatment and discuss the positive benefits of long-term recovery
4. Assist patients and families with enhancement or acquisition of social and life skills, positive coping mechanisms, self-care and self-help skills
5. Recognize early signs of crisis to connect patients and families to appropriate services, including access to Narcan and Narcan training
6. Create and implement individual and group activities that will further enhance recovery process
7. Complete social determinants of health screenings to identify social and health related needs and connect patients to internal and/or community resources
8. Advocate for the social and emotional well-being of patients in recovery and their families within the healthcare system and the broader community.
9. Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record. Document progress and treatment recommendations in EMR and the registry so that information is shared with medical providers, psychiatric consultants, and other treating providers.
10. Build and maintain relationships in the community to stay informed about local resources and assist in developing support networks for patients
11. Provide education and outreach events in the community to reduce stigma associated with seeking and attending treatment for mental health and/or substance abuse
12. Attend staff meetings, case supervision, community meetings and serve in designated committees
13. Attend professional development trainings required to maintain certification as Peer Recovery Support Specialist in Delaware
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Minimum Objective Qualifications:

1. Certified as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist in the State of Delaware
2. High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.)
3. Two years in recovery and/or lived experiences with mental health services and substance abuse
4. Awareness of the importance of recovery in living with a mental illness or addictions problem
5. One year or lived experience providing services to a culturally diverse population
6. Strong written and oral communication skills
7. Self-starter with the capability to work independently and collaboratively.
8. Two years of experience using computers and Microsoft Office software
9. Ability to perform duties directly in the communities as needed
10. Verifiable good driving record and reliable transportation
11. Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred Objective Qualifications:

1. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or another human services area, and at least 2-5 years of relevant experience
2. Past peer support and group facilitation experience preferred
3. Willingness to share personal experience to educate and inspire others
4. Active membership in a consumer advocacy or self-help group.
5. Fluency in written and spoken English and spoken Spanish and/or Haitian Creole