Boston Police Co-Response Recovery Coach

Position Summary The Recovery coach (RC) will work within BMC’s Boston Police Co-Response Program to provide peer recovery support services to patients with serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorder (SUD) and will assist patients in achieving sustained recovery. The RC will be responsible for responding to high-acuity calls, engaging patients in active use, and assisting the Boston Police Department officers in determining appropriate dispositions with the goal of diverting individuals to treatment whenever possible. As such, the position will facilitate patient access to recovery-oriented SUD treatment, resources and community recovery groups. The recovery coach must be able to provide support across multiple systems and frameworks of care, requiring collaboration amongst City and community providers. This position will maintain ongoing patient support regardless of relapse and will serve as a motivator, ally, role model, problem-solver and advocate for patients. Essential Responsibilities / Duties Engage patients in crisis, in collaboration with the Boston Police Department, who are experiencing challenges secondary to a substance use disorder and possible co-occurring serious mental illness. Initiate and sustain trusting relationship with individuals and families. Provide recovery support to individuals who are unhoused or experiencing other psychosocial stressors, through community outreach, attending community provider meetings, collaborating with local substance use agencies and working closely with Boston Police Community Service Officers. Document patient encounters, resource development efforts and other interventions for each patient, including date, time and signature in the electronic medical record. Complete tasks related to connecting patients to unmet social needs, including but not limited to employment or workforce development, housing, state benefits, education and state agency coordination. Maintain current working knowledge of relevant resources and referral pathways including upkeep of resource list. Communicate effectively with all clinical and administrative leadership within BMC, Boston Police Department leadership and adhere to the Department of Mental Health Criminal Justice Diversion standards, ensuring that a patient’s care team is working in alignment. Perform other duties assigned or as necessary. Job Requirements Education High School Diploma, or equivalent. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Lived experience in recovery, required. Recovery Coach or Peer Specialist Certifications preferred. Experience Minimum of five years’ experience as a Recovery Coach, with preference given to applicants with previous experience working with law enforcement or first responders. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA) Knowledge of community, social, and health resources, particularly substance use-related resources. Understanding of recovery and principles of recovery; lived experience required. Empathic understanding of patients and skilled in performing multicultural needs assessments and developing concrete service plans. Expertise in establishing working relationships with patients, their families, professionals, and the community, including ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team. Computer competency, inclusive of the ability to access and enter data. Ability to work in a fast paced environment, inclusive of organizational skills, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities. Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to facilitate interactions with various members of the health care team, patients, and their families. Bilingual or multi‑lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served, is preferred. Demonstrated flexibility with client’s priorities, evolving needs, and goals. Sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, gender, and sexual orientation diversity; values; beliefs; and behaviors. Special Working Conditions Recovery Coach will be working directly with the Boston Police Department, and may respond to active 911 calls. Recovery Coach will be issued a ballistics vest and may be required to wear the vest on specific calls, as determined by the responding BPD supervisor. Compensation & Benefits Compensation Range: $25.48‑$37.02 per hour. Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, pharmacy; discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases; Flexible Spending Accounts; 403(b) savings matches; paid time off; career advancement opportunities; resources to support employee and family well‑being. Equal Employment Opportunity Boston Medical Center is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. We ensure equal employment opportunities for all, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or any other non‑job‑related characteristic. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e‑mail to View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io to let us know the nature of your request. Boston Medical Center participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. As an E‑Verify employer, prospective employees of BMC must complete a background check before beginning their employment at the hospital. BMC requires all staff to be vaccinated against COVID‑19 and flu, as well as receive a booster dose of the COVID‑19 vaccine. #J-18808-Ljbffr Boston Medical Center