Peer Support Worker

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Worker uses lived experience to conduct street outreach and engagement in the community, re-engage individuals at risk of loss to contact, and provide in-reach engagement for new admissions to VIP's Opioid Treatment Program. The Peer Support Worker accompanies individuals from Admissions to first counselor and dosing appointments, resolves barriers to care, and supports retention in treatment. The position carries encounter-level reporting responsibilities to OASAS.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

? Conduct street outreach and engagement in the catchment area to reach individuals with opioid use disorder who are not yet in care and re-engage those at risk of loss to contact.

? Provide in-reach engagement for new OTP admissions, including accompaniment from the Admissions Department to first counselor and dosing appointments.

? Resolve barriers to care including transportation and Medicaid enrollment; distribute transit fare to support appointment attendance.

? Screen for opioid use disorder and refer to MOUD and other treatment settings.

? Provide overdose education, distribute naloxone, and train individuals and community members in overdose recognition and response.

? Provide lived experience and recovery support, and link individuals to primary care, HIV and hepatitis C services, wound care, and other social services.

? Obtain participant consent using the OASAS Authorization for Release and Exchange of Behavioral Health Information and submit the OASAS Encounter Survey within 24 hours of each meaningful encounter.

? Document outreach and follow-up contacts in the electronic health record.

? Participate in supervision, training, and regional network meetings; adhere to agency confidentiality policy, 42 CFR Part 2, and HIPAA protocol.

Requirements

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

? New York State Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA or CRPA-P) at hire or obtained within nine months of hire with VIP support.

? High School Diploma or GED.

? Lived experience of recovery and the ability to engage individuals with empathy and professionalism.

? Experience working with MOUD or opioid use disorder populations preferred.

? Ability to use an electronic health record and web-based data collection tools; bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

JOB SETTING:

? Office, community, and field-based setting; street outreach and travel to community locations in the Bronx.

? Flexible schedule including early mornings and weekends.