Peer Recovery Coach

University of Maryland Medical System; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Maryland Medical System is looking for a Peer Recovery Coach. This role involves providing support to patients recovering from mental illness and substance use disorders, assisting in their treatment journey, and connecting them with community resources.

Applicants must have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, a high school diploma or equivalent, and identify as being in long-term recovery. This part-time position requires varied work hours.

Qualifications

• Must self-identify as a person in long-term recovery from a behavioral health disorder for two years or more.
• Ability to read, interpret documents, and write routine reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide non-clinical services to aid patients in recovery.
• Conduct screening interviews and administer surveys.
• Assist in developing service plans and referrals to treatment services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Basic computer skills

Knowledge of Peer Recovery practices

Education

High school diploma or G.E.D.

Job description

Overview

Under general supervision of a licensed clinician, the Peer Recovery Coach provides non‑clinical services intended to aid patients in establishing recovery from living with a serious and persistent mental illness and/or the high risk of dependent alcohol and drug use problems. The Peer Recovery Coach will work as part of the assigned program’s treatment team to provide peer support and motivation to encourage patients seeking treatment for mental illness or 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. The establishment of a recovery plan designed to work toward the client’s goals of living life independently in a community of their choosing in a productive and contributing way is the ultimate purpose.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

• Duties related to a mental health/addiction disorders:
• Conduct screening interviews and administer surveys to assess early presentation of problems to the clinical service.
• Gather historical information using structured interviews for past mental health or addictions problems, treatment and current interest in receiving treatment.
• Act as a peer support throughout hospitalization and post‑discharge when acute care is necessary and as appropriate to facilitate attainment of goals.
• Model coping techniques and self‑help strategies.
• Connecting to Community Resources:
• Gather information on client access to existing or needed community support services and facilitate these connections when indicated.
• Assist patients and families with understanding how to utilize these community support services.
• Assist patients in linking to community support services, mental health and substance treatment services including securing appointments and transportation.
• Provide family members with recovery support materials.
• Provide telephone outreach to patients to assist with linkages and continued peer support.
• Identify patient’s readiness to change and use motivational interviewing techniques and other communication skills to support a plan for treatment engagement and reducing or eliminating harmful drug and/or alcohol use in the case of a substance use disorder.
• Team Member Participation:
• Participate in trainings to continually gain new skills.
• Attend required staff and other meetings.
• Complete required documentation and other reports to facilitate accurate data reporting in the program.
• Act as a resource to other clinical team members on recovery support.
• Consult with nursing staff, social work and other team members as needed to address the needs of the client.
• Work in collaboration with the patient’s treatment team to ensure that the patient receives appropriate and timely recovery‑focused interventions.
• Provide outreach services including telephoning treatment providers to verify patient attendance at scheduled appointments; and follow‑up by telephone with any patient that misses an appointment.
• Documentation:
• Document appropriate information from assessments, individual contacts, family interventions and discharge planning according to department policy and procedures and State, Federal, and Joint Commission stipulated requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with hospital and departmental policy and professional standards. May accompany patients to obtain benefits, entitlement or other services.
• Develop a social service network with city, state or other governmental services that serve the needs of the assigned patient population, to assist patients in obtaining such services as food stamps and other financial supports and assistance in obtaining transitional housing.
• Career Development:
• Actively examine peer specialist practice and seek self‑improvement through use of supervision, peer consultation, or other methods to develop therapeutic knowledge and skills.
• Participate in the training and education of allied health professionals in the hospital and/or in the community.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Peer Recovery Coach practices with individuals, family and in group settings.
• Ability to read, interpret documents and write routine reports. Basic computer skills are required.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, ability to relate to patients and health professionals, as well as good problem‑solving skills. Willingness to learn and interest in acquiring new skills.
• Chart documentation, community referrals, and effective networking techniques to coordinate services for patients outside of the hospital.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the patient population(s) served.

Patient Safety

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or G.E.D. is preferred.
• Applicant must self‑identify as a person in long‑term recovery from the effects of a behavioral health disorder (mental health and/or substance use disorder) for a period of two years or more.

Additional Information

• All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
• Work Schedule: Varies – 6 am–2:30 pm, 8 am–4:30 pm, 1 – 9:30 pm, and every other weekend.