Peer Recovery Coach

Job Description

Job Description

Peer Recovery Coach

Mental Health Department

Damien Center Values

Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation

Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition. 

Position Summary:  

The Peer Recovery Coach is a vital member of Damien Center’s interdisciplinary clinical team, providing recovery-oriented support and advocacy to individuals navigating substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. As part of the CARE Program, this role supports efforts to reduce HIV transmission by engaging high-risk populations in recovery-focused services. 

Drawing on lived experience, the Peer Recovery Coach builds trusting relationships with clients, facilitates access to treatment and community resources, and models healthy recovery behaviors. This role supports clients from initial engagement through treatment participation and post-discharge follow-up, offering individualized coaching, group support, and recovery-focused case management. The Peer Recovery Coach collaborates closely with therapists, medical providers, and psychiatric staff to promote client empowerment, retention in care, and long-term recovery. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. 

• Provide individualized coaching and support to clients seeking recovery from substance use disorders, helping them develop and implement personalized recovery plans. 
• Maintain a caseload of 25–35 clients, adjusting intensity of support based on acuity and engagement. 
• Serve as a consistent point of contact for clients throughout their treatment journey, including pre-enrollment, active participation, and post-discharge follow-up. 
• Maintain and update a comprehensive directory of recovery-focused resources, including MAT providers, support groups, sober living environments, and detox/residential treatment programs. 
• Connect clients to internal Damien Center services and external community resources based on individual needs and recovery goals. 
• Assist clients in accessing HIV and Hepatitis C testing, safety supplies, and educational materials. 
• Participate in IOP group therapy sessions to model recovery behaviors, share lived experience, and foster peer connection. 
• Facilitate community-based recovery support groups, promoting mutual aid and sustained engagement. 
• Assist with client orientation, enrollment, and assessment processes for substance use treatment programming. 
• Assist clinicians in responding to client crises, including suicidal ideation, intoxication, or behavioral escalation. 
• Support safe transitions for clients in crisis, including coordination with emergency services when necessary. 
• Conduct outreach to identify potential clients eligible for substance use treatment programming and build relationships with referral sources. 
• Represent Damien Center at community events, recovery meetings, and networking opportunities to promote services and build relationships. 
• Complete timely and accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, referrals, and follow-up activities in designated systems. 
• Ensure all records are HIPAA-compliant and meet standards set by SAMHSA, DMHA, and internal policies. 
• Provide transportation and accompany clients to appointments, recovery meetings, or community services when appropriate to support engagement and reduce barriers. 
• Collaborate with therapists, medical providers, and psychiatric staff to coordinate care and contribute to treatment planning. 
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in accordance with HIPAA and recovery coaching standards. 
• Participate in regular supervision and team meetings to support professional growth and program development. 
• Performs special assignments and other work, on an as-needed basis. 

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum of two years of sustained recovery from substance use disorder. 
• Willingness to publicly self-identify as a person in recovery. 
• High school diploma or graduation equivalency degree (GED). 
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Coach (or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire). 
• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and ability to build rapport with diverse populations. 
• Familiarity with HIV prevention, and trauma-informed care preferred. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative clinical team. 

 *Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines, and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills are required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work. 

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor. 

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

FLSA Status: Hourly, Full-Time, Non-Exempt               

Leader: Substance Use Treatment Program Manager

Salary: $24 hourly

Benefits:  

• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward.
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP. 
• Dental & Vision plans
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve.  As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption.    

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information.

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment.  Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.