Peer Intake Specialist

Hudson Behavioral Health; Salisbury (MD); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Hudson Behavioral Health in Salisbury, MD seeks an Admissions Coordinator/Peer Recovery Support to coordinate admissions, remove barriers to treatment, and provide recovery-oriented support to individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment. The role includes liaison work with referrals, insurance verification, and after-hours coverage.

The position emphasizes use of lived recovery experience to build rapport, encourage self-directed recovery goals, and document peer support contacts while

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have an attention to detail and the ability to analyze and report on findings.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, with no more than two violations.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, including filing systems
• Ability to learn and use computer applications for word processing, spreadsheets, calendars, and emails
• Knowledge of HIPAA and other confidentiality requirements as well as COMAR and HBH policies
• Be willing to obtain Peer Support Specialist Certification.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist prospective patients and visitors, initiate admissions.
• Coordinate admissions, schedule appointments, maintain the bed schedule, and monitor census.
• Complete and maintain admission documentation from initial contact through bed assignment.
• Answer admissions calls, assist with intake screenings, provide program information and referrals.
• Serve as liaison with referral sources and coordinate with internal departments to support timely admissions.
• Verify insurance and complete required admission-related checks.
• Collaborate with the Director of Admissions and other departments to address admission barriers and prepare reports.
• Participate in scheduled overnight, weekend, and after-hours on-call coverage.

Skills

Attention to detail

English communication

Drivers license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Office software

Job description

Description

Summary / Objective:

This position coordinates admissions, removes barriers to treatment, and provides recovery-oriented peer engagement and support to individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Must be able to…

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Follow and ensure all others follow the established HBH Emergency Preparedness Plan, during crisis situations. (See separate policy.)
2. Become knowledgeable and follow all HBH established policies, procedures, handbooks, and manuals.
   • Updates & clarifications can be found on the shared drive under: Corporate approved policies, manuals & handbooks, from the Human Resources Department, and/or from Compliance Director.
   • When direct patient care is required, ensure patients also follow as indicated above.
3. Complete mandatory monthly, on-site, staff training established by the corporate office.
4. Complete Policy Variance (incident) Reports for all unusual events or witnessed or reported incidents that could pose a risk to patients or staff. (See separate policy.)

ADMISSIONS

1. Greet and assist prospective patients and visitors, provide a welcoming environment, and initiate the admissions process.
2. Coordinate admissions, schedule appointments, maintain the daily bed schedule, and monitor census, anticipated admissions, and discharges.
3. Complete and maintain admission documentation from initial contact through bed assignment, including authorizations, electronic health records, patient files, and admissions logs.
4. Answer admissions calls, assist with telephone screenings, obtain intake information, and provide program information and referrals as appropriate.
5. Serve as a liaison with referral sources and coordinate with internal departments to support timely and appropriate admissions.
6. Verify insurance and complete required legal, registry, and other admission-related checks in accordance with established procedures.
7. Collaborate with the Director of Admissions and other departments to address admission barriers and prepare required reports.
8. Participate in scheduled overnight, weekend, and other after-hours on-call coverage to respond to admission inquiries, coordinate referrals, and assist with admissions as needed.

PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT AND PATIENT ENGAGEMENT

1. Use lived recovery experience appropriately to build rapport, offer encouragement, and provide recovery-oriented support to prospective and newly admitted patients.
2. Assist individuals who are anxious, hesitant, or uncertain about treatment by explaining the admission process, exploring concerns, and encouraging self-directed recovery goals.
3. Identify and communicate barriers to admission or continued treatment, including providing peer support to individuals considering leaving and involving clinical or nursing staff as needed.
4. Help patients identify strengths, recovery resources, and continuing-care supports, and assist with supportive transitions and appropriate referrals.
5. Document peer support contacts as required, maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality, and collaborate with the treatment team.

Other Duties:

• May be assigned miscellaneous duties by supervisor.
• Provide short-term support, by filling in for any roles needed, due to staff absence.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Persons Supervised:

This position does not supervise any other position(s).

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

1. Must be able to work on-site 40 hours per week and be able to meet with supervisor, staff, patients, and families frequently.
2. Must be able to travel to any Hudson Health facility as needed.
3. Must be in generally good health and possess a negative TB screen and pass urine drug screening.
4. Must be able to work in a healthcare environment and assist patients in instances of infection control isolation, with provided personal protective equipment (PPE). This is a standard for all HBH staff.
5. Must be able to proficiently use office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, copy machines, etc.
6. Must be able to stand, sit, and use the computer for prolonged periods of time.
7. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds to accommodate files, file boxes, cases of paper, etc.
8. The employee is required to walk, climb steps, and use their hands to operate a standard computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
9. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
10. Must be able to clearly communicate with patients, staff and the public, verbally and in written form.
11. Must be able to work with a high level of ethical conduct and ensure confidentiality and strict boundaries are maintained between patients and staff.
12. Must assume and keep all information handled secure and confidential – not to be shared with anyone other than supervisors.
13. See below to determine if weekend, overnight, or on-call hours are required. Any that apply should be initialed and circled by H/R or Supervisor and applicant.

Requirements

Professional Credentials, Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Must…

• have a high school diploma or GED.
• have an attention to detail and the ability to analyze and report on findings.
• have a valid driver’s license, with no more than two violations.
• have ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English
• have knowledge of modern office procedures, including filing systems
• have ability to learn and use computer applications in use at Hudson for word processing, creating spreadsheets, calendars, and emails, etc.
• have knowledge of HIPAA and other confidentiality requirements as well as COMAR and all other regulations, policies, and procedures governing HBH.
• be willing to obtain Peer Support Specialist Certification.

Preferred

• Peer Support Specialist Certification
• experience in the field of addiction and/or mental health treatment
• experience with admissions processes