Peer Recovery Specialist III, Certified

GRADE

ASTD11

LOCATION OF POSITION

MDH, Cecil County Health Department, Elkton, MD

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

This position is an advanced level of work in the Maryland Department of Health (MOH), providing peer recovery support services to clients with substance use, mental health, and/or co-occurring disorders to begin and maintain a path to recovery. This position is held by a person with lived experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance use conditions who is also trained to help others find the path to recovery that is most appropriate for them. This position will leverage their personal recovery experience and training to inspire hope, manage stigma, and reduce the stress often associated with change. The support provided by Peers is critical to help individuals access and navigate complex systems of care. Peers provide personalized, non-clinical support to help clients adopt positive health behaviors. This support utilizes various skills, including (but not limited to) motivational interviewing, education, recovery planning, advocacy, coaching, and care navigation. This position will also involve screening, raising awareness of personal relationship to substance use, developing a plan based on that, and facilitating connections to helpful resources. This position may accompany clients as they implement certain aspects of their recovery plan. This position will also play a critical role in overdose prevention by providing education and training on the use of Narcan (naloxone) to clients, families, and community organizations. This position includes increasing awareness of overdose risks, recognizing the signs of overdose, and equipping individuals with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in emergency situations; this is integral to ensuring access to recovery in many settings. These settings include crisis intervention, risk management, recovery support, hospitals, schools, courts, detention centers, transitional housing, and behavioral health treatment, among others. The duration of the peer-client relationship can vary. It may be brief, focusing on resolving an acute crisis and successfully linking the client with the necessary care, or it may be sustained over time to help the client achieve stability in recovery.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate. Experience: One year of experience providing peer recovery support services. Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Peer Specialist classifications or Peer Specialist and specialty codes in the health-related field of work for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate should possess: Experience assisting families to navigate complex family services, with a focus on pregnant and parenting women and their children. Experience providing case management and support services to individuals with substance use disorder. Familiarity with behavioral health treatment and other supportive resources available within Cecil County. Experience maintaining professionalism and composure in demanding and complex situations. Experience adapting to changing environments while applying strong organizational skills.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist within 12 months from date of hire from the Maryland Addictions Professional Certification Board (MAPCB) located at 10807 Falls Rd., #1376, Brooklandville, MD 21022. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this classification who fail to obtain the required certification by the end of 24 months of continuous employment with the hiring department shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension and dismissal. Applicants for this classification must be in a state of recovery for 2 years from a substance use, mental health or co-occurring disorder before they can be qualified to be hired as a Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified. Employees in this classification must complete any additional training that is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain the required certification. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing, in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulation 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: View phone number on click.appcast.io or MD TTY Relay Service View phone number on click.appcast.io. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity. #J-18808-Ljbffr Maryland