Peer Recovery Specialist-Project Link-SUD

OB SUMMARY:

To provide outreach, skills training, and peer recovery supports to pregnant and parenting women who have or at-risk of substance abuse and/or co-occurring disorders, as well as their children, to achieve and maintain community stability and successful recovery in the most appropriate and least restrictive environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• To manage a caseload of children and parents engaged in Project LINK who require outreach, skills training, and supports to function independently in the community and maintain recovery. Examples include providing training in social skills, coping skills, parenting, personal hygiene, and household activities, as well as linking individuals to substance use treatment, prenatal care, support groups, and other community resources.
• To provide rapid response to urgent referrals related to Project LINK and home visiting services for families engaged in Project LINK. Significant work time may be outside of normal business hours.
• To provide implement and document in an individualized services plan that promotes ongoing recovery goals and ongoing management of symptoms and problematic behaviors; utilizes local community resources; involves individual’s significant others (with properly authorized releases), and assures coordination of services with other providers of services, i.e., case manager, outpatient counselor, psychiatrist, etc. To maintain records and data to meet regulatory standards and timeframes.
• To assist individuals directly to locate, develop, or obtain needed services, resources, and appropriate public benefits.
• To know and monitor individual’s health status, any medical conditions, and medications and potential side effects, and assist individuals in accessing primary care and other medical services.
• To provide transportation to and from scheduled appointments, daycare/school, grocery stores, and other agency programs. Help educate individuals and their families to become more independent in managing transportation needs.
• To work with effectively with other agency staff to include, coordination with case managers and therapists, participation with team meetings.
• To actively participate in meetings such as supervision, clinical staffings, business meetings and committees as assigned. To utilize these meetings for active problem solving and to enhance a team approach to treatment. To maintain required certifications and keep mandatory trainings up-to-date.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Must be willing to work hours, which coincide with the person’s at-home and leisure time periods.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to interact with people in a supportive and therapeutic manner
• Knowledge of the nature and recovery of mental health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of child development, attachment, and nurturing parenting skills..
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of coping skills, social skills, daily living skills, financial and money management skills. Knowledge of resources.
• Must be able to work independently and with supervision available at broadly spaced intervals.

Education and experience required:

1. A valid Virginia Driver’s license and a safe driving record.

2. Either a college degree or high school diploma. Preferred applicants will have passed the Peer Certification Exam and/or are currently Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. Applicants must be eligible to work towards becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.

3. Background check and fingerprinting required.