Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (Full-Time, Days)

The overall purpose for this position is to provide support, advocacy, outreach, and education to primarily engage pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in St. Lawrence Health System’s M-WRAP program with their recovery from opioid use disorder.  The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate will work as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and in conjunction with the patient will develop a patient centered Recovery Plan to help initiate and sustain an individual in their recovery from substance use or addiction.

• Meets regularly with the patient 1:1 to provide direct coaching, education and advocacy in linking, engaging and retaining patients in services identified in the Recovery Plan

• Acts as a role model, mentor, advocate and motivator to recovering patients in order to promote long term recovery 

• Ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships while maintaining healthy boundaries and ethical standards at all times 

• Serves as a point of contact when patients are at risk for relapse 

• Participates in On Call Services as needed 

• Has a good working knowledge of the patient’s recovery plans and works to help the patient and their family follow the treatment plans 

• Assist patient in identifying personal interests, goals, and strengths to increase successful treatment outcomes 

• Assist patient in identifying barriers that may interfere with their recovery progress, and work with the patient to develop strategies to overcome identified barriers 

• Assists the patient in remembering doctor’s or service organization appointments. Follow up with and engage patients who are experiencing barriers to attending appointments 

• Helps the patient to understand how services will assist them in remaining in recovery 

• Attends and participates in treatment team meetings 

• Works as an advocate for the patient in team meetings and provides information about the patient’s ability to follow treatment plans in day to day life 

• Travel among several different sites within the St. Lawrence Health Systems as well as the community or the patient’s home.

• Peers may also be utilized in substance use, mental health, primary care and emergency care as needed.

• This does not represent a complete or all-encompassing view – other duties may be assigned / required / or change to meet the business needs.  An incumbent and the organization both share ownership of bringing forward & documenting any duties that become significant or substantial to be included in the MJO’s. 

• High school diploma/GED 

• Completion of Peer Recovery Training course- 30 hours 

• Peer Ethics Training Course 

• If applicant is Certified Recovery Peer Advocate- Provisional 

• Application must complete 500 hours of work experience, including 25 hours of supervision within 6 months  

• Schedule IC&RC Exam upon completion of work experience and receive passing grade 

• Maintain current certification status

Work Experience:
· Preference to applicants who are OASAS fully licensed and or provisional peer advocates
· some experience or education related to working with populations with substance use disorder
· Training or education in trauma-informed service

• The candidate needs to have strong interpersonal skills.  They will need to work effectively with patients, their families, community organizations, and staff members at all levels. 

• Demonstrates responsibility for ongoing personal development, professional growth and continuing education 

• Performs duties in a self-directed manner with minimal supervision or direction 

• Ability to create and maintain detailed, accurate and timely documentation 

• Indicates appreciation of population differences (cultural, ethnic, orientation, religious)  

• Ability to work and/or be on call during evenings or weekends 

• Complies with laws, rules, regulations and hospital policies.  

• Protects from unauthorized and inappropriate disclosure, all confidential patient and hospital information in accordance with HIPPA regulations and hospital policies. Reports privacy issues through the chain of command, to the compliance officer, or the hotline.  

• Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time. 

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing. 

• Occasional stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and pushing up to 20 pounds.  

• Close visual acuity, read charts, analyze and prepare data, transcribing, viewing a computer screen, dials, equipment settings, literature and other printed or handwritten materials.  

• Work with equipment and manipulate equipment settings, computer keyboard, etc.  

• OSHA Category III: Little, to no risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. 

• Regular and on-time attendance.  

• Hours regularly exceed 40 hours per week.