Peer Recovery Coach Intern - Field Outreach & Support

Bright Harbor Healthcare; Toms River (NJ); On-site; USD 24,796 - 30,307; Part time

Job summary

Bright Harbor Healthcare is seeking a Peer Recovery Coach/Peer Intern to engage and support individuals in active use or early recovery within a low-threshold framework. This per diem internship requires completing 500 supervised hours and mandatory supervision to qualify for state peer certification.

The role involves street outreach, harm-reduction activities, and warm handoffs to MAT, detox, housing, and other services, with a focus on trauma-informed, non-judgmental engagement.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with substance use and sustained recovery (1–2 years preferred).
• High School Diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Completion of foundational Peer Recovery Coach training hours or willingness to complete immediately upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Attend mandatory supervision sessions to complete 500 experiential hours.
• Log hours meticulously for certification board submission.
• Apply supervisor feedback on ethics, boundaries and peer support strategies.
• Conduct street outreach in encampments and public spaces with harm-reduction activities.
• Distribute naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and safer-use kits.
• Engage highly vulnerable individuals using a non-judgmental approach.
• Partner with ERs, syringe service programs, and social services for outreach.
• Guide participants through healthcare and social service systems.
• Facilitate connections to MAT, detox, inpatient care, primary care, and housing resources.
• Help participants obtain identification, insurance, and food assistance.
• Provide staff support at emergency shelters during Code Red/Blue activations.
• De-escalate crises, provide emotional support, monitor safety of unhoused individuals.
• Connect shelter stays to long-term outreach services and care coordination.

Skills

Communication

Conflict de-escalation

Boundary setting

Harm reduction philosophy

Lived experience

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Bright Harbor Healthcare is seeking a Peer Recovery Coach/Peer Intern to engage and support individuals in active use or early recovery within a low-threshold framework. This per diem internship requires completing 500 supervised hours and mandatory supervision to qualify for state peer certification.

The role involves street outreach, harm-reduction activities, and warm handoffs to MAT, detox, housing, and other services, with a focus on trauma-informed, non-judgmental engagement.