The Peer Recovery Coach provides non-clinical services intended to aid patients in establishing recovery from high risk of dependent alcohol and drug use problems. The Peer Recovery Coach will work as part of the Emergency Department team/or designated area to provide peer support and motivation to encourage patients who are seeking treatment for alcohol or drug dependency and addiction issues. The Peer Recovery Coach will assist in completing referrals to treatment services and developing service plans to promote successful linkage to treatment services. Services will be provided in the Emergency Department/or designated area with appropriate follow-up.

1. Conducts brief interventions to patients that screen positive for alcohol and/or drug use.

2. Identifies patient’s history of drug/alcohol use, treatment history, motivation to change behavior and other needs for community support services.

3. Identifies patient’s readiness to change and use motivational interviewing techniques and other communication skills to support a plan for reducing or eliminating harmful drug and/or alcohol use.

4. Works with ED staff and social workers to identify community support services.

5. Assist patients and family with understanding how to utilize these community services.

6. Assists patients in linking to community support services and substance treatment services including securing appointments and transportation.

7. Acts as a peer support throughout the hospitalization and post-discharge, as appropriate to facilitate attainment of goals.

8. Provides family members with recovery support materials.

9. Provides telephone outreach to patients to assist with linkages and continued peer support.

10. Models coping techniques and self-help strategies.

11. Demonstrates ability to meet the productivity requirements set in accordance with program goals.

12. Participates in training to continually gain new skills.

13. Attends required staff and other meetings.

14. Completes required documentation and other reports.

15. Acts as a resource to other clinical team members on recovery support.

16. Consults with nursing staff, social work as requested, even if patient does not screen positive.

17. Notifies patient’s nurse before visiting the patient.

18. Telephones treatment providers to verify patient showed up for an appointment; and follow-up by telephone with any patient that misses an appointment.

19. Demonstrates competencies for position within the first 90 days of employment.

20. Satisfactorily meets requirements of position during periodic and annual evaluations.

21. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

High School Education or equivalent required, Certified Peer Support Specialist or Peer Recovery Coach Certificate Preferred. The candidate must be actively engaged in his/her own recovery program with a minimum of three years demonstrated personal recovery and sustained abstinence from alcohol and/or drug use.

Minimum Work Experience:

On-the-job training will be available, however, experience working in recovery is preferred.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

The Peer Recovery Coach must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to relate to patients and health professionals, as well as the ability to develop professional working relationships with partner agencies. The candidate must possess excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills, as well as good problem-solving skills. The incumbent must be able to read, interpret documents and write routine reports. Basic computer skills are required. Must be able to demonstrate patience and tact when dealing with patients, families, and other staff, to integrate Continuous Quality Improvement principles for service and organization work improvements. Ability to work with people of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds; be flexible, open-minded, and adaptable to change, to develop collaborative relationships with physicians, families, patients, interdisciplinary team, and other community agencies. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate a willingness to learn and an interest in acquiring new skills.