Peer Recovery Specialist

Peer Recovery Specialists are part of our Addiction Response Team and utilize their lived experience to walk side by side with individuals seeking recovery from Substance Use. We believe the lived experience of Peer Recovery Specialists to be crucial to the success of our work.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

● Minimum 2 years in active personal recovery

● Experience with persons who have an addiction, experience with opioid use disorder is especially preferred

● Cultural Competence especially as concerns substance related stigma and poverty (Medicaid, Medicare, uninsured populations)

● Honesty with one’s own experience and ability to empathize with others addiction and recovery process

● Ability to maintain non-reactive and calm when engaging with individuals who may or may not be intoxicated, belligerent or have a history of behavior health issues

● Ability to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances and needs dictate for member success

● Ability to Build relationships with those with a substance use disorder including but not limited to those who are justice involved and those with complex medical and/or mental health issues.

● Strict Confidentiality

● Strong customer service skills

● Basic Computer Skills preferred for navigation through Electronic Medical Record Systems and data collection tools as determined by organizational needs

● Willingness to partner with local and regional health and human service resources

● Ability to work independently

● Reliable transportation

● Valid Driver License

Education or Formal Training

· HS Graduate or GED required

Working Environment Physical Activities

● Contact with the public by phone and in person

● Sitting

● Standing

● Walking

● Climbing up and down stairs

● Bending and reaching

● Must be fully vaccinated against COVID as a condition of employment

● Annual Influenza vaccine

Job Responsibilities:

● Act as member of the Northern Colorado Health Alliance and the Addiction Response Team to help design and implement community events and participate in community workgroup meetings.

○ Participate in family support programs. These programs will address families and friends of people with SUD to increasing knowledge of opioid/naloxone, assist on how to move loved ones towards treatment, and advocating for their own health amidst their loved one’s recovery.

○ Help plan and implement community events that will raise awareness Addiction, Treatment, Recovery, and Overdose (i.e. Opioid Awareness Day, Harm Reduction Symposium)

○ Attend a variety of community workgroup meetings and help connect community members to supportive services.

■ Responsibilities include presenting and sharing at meetings and events, engagement, and outreach to persons in the community for involvement and input in grant strategies, and monthly social networking responsibilities to recruit event attendees and promote training and events.

● Act as an ambassador to people currently experiencing substance use disorder by connecting them to the CO-SLAW network and other relative supportive/harm reduction measures.

● Completion of a 40-credit hour course as a Peer Recovery Coach.

○ This will provide the experience necessary to support the traumas of other community members, navigating other’s recovery while also living out the Peer Specialist’s own to

■ Advocate for People struggling with Substance Use or in recovery

■ Share Resources and assist in building strength based skills

■ Help to build community and relationships

■ Mentor and assist in setting goals

■ Help to remove barriers and obstacles to recovery

■ Learn the roles of a Recovery Coach – Motivator/Cheerleader, Ally/Confidante, Truth Teller, Role Model/Mentor, Problem Solver, Advocate, Community Organizer, Lifestyle Consultant, Friend/Companion.

● Participate in telephone contacts, office/hospital visits, and other means of connecting with members to reach identified goals

● Attend member appointments with providers and community resources as needed

● Enter all documentation, contacts, and assessments into required databases

● Transport members to and from MAT appointments in NCHA company vehicle

Other Duties as Assigned:

● Support of the mission and vision of NCHA

● Provide input into development of policies and procedures

● Compliance with NCHA programs overall

● Meeting and training attendance

● Participation in ongoing performance improvement activities