Peer Recovery Support Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

This individual uses their lived experience with substance use to help others navigate recovery. They provide mentorship, emotional support, and practical guidance to empower clients, reduce relapse risks, and connect them to essential community resources. They offer peer support to pregnant, postpartum, and parenting individuals identified as being at risk for substance misuse. This role will prioritize connecting families with essential community resources, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as prenatal and postnatal care.


Significant travel is required. This team member will be in the field up to 50% of the time, working with community-based agencies. Work is performed in the office area and remotely in other locations to provide flexibility for meeting with clients, community partners, vendors, etc., within Cotton, Jefferson, and Stephens's counties in Southwest Oklahoma.

*** This position is grant-funded and contingent upon continued grant funding. ***

RESPONSIBILITIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS):

• Conduct community outreach and education by distributing materials and educating the public on issues related to women with substance use disorders (SUD) through community events, presentations, etc.
• Provide individual outreach and engagement to individuals at risk for substance misuse and to women with SUD who may be pregnant, postpartum, or parenting young children.
• Connect families to community resources, such as food pantries, clothing, household items, rental assistance, financial assistance for household utilities, other emergency supports, and assistance.
• Attend meetings, court sessions, or other necessary meetings or appointments with women and families needing support.
• Facilitate a warm handoff to treatment services that best fit the families' needs (connecting them to those services, not just providing a written or verbal referral).
• Maintain connection and follow up with pregnant individuals with SUD, offering continual support in their pathway to recovery.
• Assist with the completion of a Family Care Plan (FCP) with the individual being supported. Answer any questions about the FCP, encourage completion, and update as needed, demonstrating its value to the family.
• Ensure all facilitated interactions with individuals being supported are free from discrimination based on race, color, age, sexual orientation, gender, religion, diagnosis, behavioral health condition, or national origin.
• Treat all individuals with respect and dignity.
• Allow women and/or families to operate with self-determination, helping them consider the consequences of their decisions.
• Participate in staff trainings and professional development as assigned.
• Advocate on behalf of individuals with behavioral health problems to protect their rights and assist in reducing associated stigma.
• Work within the counties assigned and perform other duties as assigned.
• Attendance at monthly Network Meeting and Technical Assistance meeting with Georgia Health Policy and HRSA.
• Demonstrates knowledge and support of DRH Health's mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Actively participate in required training and professional development activities.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge through continuing education opportunities, including internal and external educational offerings.
• Regular attendance and punctuality for scheduled shifts.
• Utilization of assistive devices for lifting is mandatory.
• Must adhere to safety protocols at all times.
• Per DRH policy, all required conditions of employment must be met and maintained, including required vaccinations.
• Implement DRH Standards of Behavior and exhibit behaviors consistent with DRH core values.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Qualifications: Communication skills, including fluency in oral and written English.Basic computer skills, including the ability to send/receive/email, navigate information technology associated with the position, and use Electronic Health Record information tools. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; Ability to adapt procedures, processes, tools, equipment, and techniques to accomplish the requirements of the position. Advanced fingerprint background checks are required for this position.

Works effectively in a team environment, participating and assisting their peers. Ability to organize, coordinate, and demonstrate judgment, professionalism, diplomacy, assertiveness, and initiative. Frequent departmental interfaces with internal and external customers to coordinate and provide an optimal level of program services. Knowledge and ability to develop and implement policies and procedures. This position requires effective time management skills and the ability to comply with and operate independently in accordance with organizational policies and/or the direction of a supervisor.

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or equivalent. Demonstrated experience living with a substance use disorder. Strong skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Docs.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations: Obtain Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) certification within six (6) months of hire or transfer. A current, valid driver's license and automobile liability insurance must be maintained. Must have reliable transportation.

Physical Demands: Team member is regularly required to communicate with and comprehend the needs of others. Frequent use of hands to feel and handle items such as equipment, tools, and machines. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Significant sitting and driving; occasional standing and walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and use of fine motor skills; Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull, and lift up to 20 pounds.


Moving, lifting, or transferring items weighing more than 20 pounds may require assistance. Assistive devices (e.g., dollies, carts) are available and must be used. To prevent injury, the team member must follow proper body mechanics and safe lifting procedures. Personal protective equipment is required.


Ability to read information on papers and computer screens; use of a computer screen and phone on a consistent basis; perform repetitive motions during use of equipment; write, operate a computer keyboard, and finely manipulate small objects; concentrate and make efficient and effective decisions; serve others who may be anxious and/or under substantial stress. Must be willing to perform all job-related travel associated with the position.


Work Environment: Generally, in a controlled, temperate environment; however, may be exposed to heat/cold during support of outside activities. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild. Use of office equipment includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, keyboards/mice, printers, and copiers. Varying schedule to include evenings, holidays, weekends, and extended hours as needed. Possible exposure to skin, eye mucous membrane, parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, including airborne organisms. Personal protective equipment is required. The team member will be provided with the necessary training, engineering controls, workplace practices, and personal protective equipment to provide reasonable protection from these exposures.

Safety-Sensitive Position - This is a "Safety-Sensitive" Position as defined by Oklahoma law. As such, please be advised that applicants for this position cannot test positive in pre-employment drug tests (or any drug tests administered after employment begins) for the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive component of cannabis. This is true even if the applicant is in possession of a valid medical marijuana card that otherwise allows the license-holder to legally use and consume medical marijuana. Team Members in "Safety-Sensitive" positions are not permitted to test positive for the presence of THC in any pre-employment drug test, or any other drug test administered after employment begins. This information is provided to applicants as a resource to the application process. This is not a request for any applicant to disclose personal medical information during the application process. If you have any questions about the information in this disclaimer please direct these questions to a member of Human Resources.

As a condition of employment, vaccinations are required per DRH Policy. Medical and Religious Exemptions are available upon request.