Peer Recovery Specialist – Project Bridge Year 2 (Term Limited)

University of Colorado; Aurora; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned academic institution is hiring a Peer Recovery Specialist in Aurora to support adults with substance use disorders. This role involves engaging patients, conducting outreach, and coordinating treatment services. Ideal candidates will have lived experience with recovery from substance use disorders and strong interpersonal skills. Join a supportive environment that provides comprehensive care and promotes healthy lifestyle choices.

Benefits

Medical plan options

Paid time off

Retirement 401(a) Plan

Tuition benefit

Qualifications

• One year of experience working with patients and connecting them to resources.
• Certifications such as Peer Specialist or Certified Addiction Technician preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate assessment and treatment for individuals with substance use disorder.
• Support individuals in transitioning to outpatient treatment.
• Conduct outreach activities with patients and community partners.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to manage difficult behaviors

Experience with motivational interviewing techniques

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in psychology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office programs

Job description

Overview

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

School of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry | Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS) | Adult Outpatient Program

Job Title: Peer Recovery Specialist – Project Bridge Year 2 (Term Limited)

Position: #00664918 – Requisition: #35069

Job Summary

The Peer Recovery Specialist operates within the Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) Adult Outpatient Program, with clinic locations in Denver, Aurora, and Arvada. ARTS Adult Outpatient Program provides drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial and pharmacological treatment for adults. Programs in various clinic locations include traditional outpatient, intensive outpatient and may contain specialty services for clients referred by the criminal justice system, county departments of human services, and services for pregnant women, individuals who are HIV-positive and gender-responsive services.

The person in this position has lived substance use disorder (SUD) experience to support positions providing drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial, and pharmacological treatment for adults with SUD, who first enter into care at the CU Health Emergency Department (ED) at the Anschutz Medical Campus, and then transition into SUD treatment at the ARTS Potomac Street Center, in collaboration with STRIDE Community Health Center Potomac Street.

This position provides activities to engage, educate, and offer support to adults with SUD, their family members, and caregivers to connect patients to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up sessions. This position is also responsible for conducting outreach activities with patients, staff, community partners, subcontracted agencies, and/or other entities as appropriate, travel to various sites, and perform other duties as assigned or required.

Working hours will be based on a standard 40-hour work week, which may be worked as follows (to include breaks):

• 10:30am – 9:00pm on any day of the week.

Locations vary and will include the ED, ARTS, STRIDE, community, and other outreach sites. Working hours and locations are subject to change according to the needs of the project and/or the agencies concerned, and this position will be required to work Saturdays/Sundays as well.

This full-time position is supported by grant funds, whose funding will be reviewed on a periodic basis. Accordingly, the position’s status may be affected over time by any applicable variations in the grant and/or funding amounts. Therefore, this position is contingent on grant funding and is term limited.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the assessment and treatment for individuals living with substance use disorder (SUD) who first enter into care at the University of Colorado Health Emergency Department.
• Communicate, facilitate, and collaborate among the CU Health Emergency Department, ARTS Potomac Street Center, and STRIDE Community Health Center Potomac Street to ensure a smooth and timely transition for individuals to enter into outpatient SUD and/or Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) treatment at the ARTS Potomac Street Center.
• Leverage their own lived experience with recovery and supports from SUD to encourage and support individuals who may be reluctant or hesitant to enter into treatment.
• Coordinate communication and collaboration among the CU Health Emergency Department, ARTS Potomac Street Center, and STRIDE Community Health Center Potomac Street.
• Be responsive to, and affirmative of, the individualized and differing needs of each patient under their care.

Work Location

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us

This position at the University of Colorado/ Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) provides a unique opportunity for individuals with lived experience and recovery from SUDs to use their specialized knowledge to support others currently living with SUD. The individual in this position will influence patients to pursue recovery and healthy lifestyle choices. Joining ARTS offers a supportive, professional environment where diverse backgrounds and experiences converge to provide evidence-based, multi-faceted care at ARTS clinics.

Why work for the University?

We have amazing benefits and provide holiday, vacation, and sick leave. The University offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• One (1) year of experience working closely with patients and connecting them to resources, or related work experience.
  • Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Prior experience in Patient Navigation and connecting pregnant or postpartum patients to required services or resources.
• Certification as a Peer Specialist (e.g., Colorado Peer and Family Specialist/CPFS).
• Experience with motivational interviewing techniques.
• Experience working with clients who are involved with the criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services, and/or other similar referral sources.
• Experience providing administrative support to clients, families, staff, and other stakeholders in a substance abuse treatment setting.
• Experience managing financial paperwork including creating invoices, tracking expenditures, and gathering statistical data.
• Experience working with electronic health records.
• Current, valid registration with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) license or higher.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must have lived experience with SUD or addictions, and recovery with existing sobriety supports.
• Applicants must have a minimum of two (2) years of sobriety with existing sober support from SUD or addictions recovery.
• The employee must successfully complete the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training within 6-12 months of hire date (training costs will be borne by employer).
• The employee must obtain the Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS) certification within 6 months of hire date (certification fee will be borne by employer).
• Must agree to fingerprinting and criminal background check prior to being hired. Required background checks include a review with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Subject to pre-employment, post-accident, incident, and/or drug and alcohol testing per ARTS policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to check for typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.
• Ability to effectively manage difficult behaviors.
• Ability to engage patients in treatment for substance use disorder treatment.
• Ability to comply with established rules, policies and procedures and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be open-minded and nonjudgmental.
• Ability to develop healthy relationships with clients.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Knowledge of basic care coordination, medical/hospital, and/or community resources.
• Knowledge of basic therapeutic confrontation and structures.
• Critical thinking.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook etc.).
• Excellent data entry skills.
• Critical thinking skills with the ability to multitask in a high-pressure environment.

How to Apply

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position. The candidate’s cover letter must adequately describe how their work/life experiences satisfy the Conditions of Employment. If candidates do not satisfy this requirement and/or fail to attach a cover letter to their application, then their application will be removed from consideration.
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Shingo Ishida

Screening of Applications Begins

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by October 15, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range

The starting salary range for this position has been established as $43,806 – $50,822.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: (URL not shown)

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator.

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus conducts background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer. You may also be enrolled in the occupational health surveillance program as applicable.