Certified Recovery Peer Advocate

STATUS: Full-Time/40 hrs Weekly

LOCATION: Gouverneur Hospital; 77 West Barney Street, Gouverneur, NY 13641

DEPARTMENT: Behavioral Health - Substance Abuse Clinic

SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday; 8a - 4:30p

The overall purpose for this position is to provide support, advocacy, outreach, and education to primarily engage pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in St. Lawrence Health System’s M-WRAP program with their recovery from opioid use disorder. The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate will work as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and in conjunction with the patient will develop a patient centered Recovery Plan to help initiate and sustain an individual in their recovery from substance use or addiction.

MAJOR JOB OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

50% Works with the women and their families to teach and reinforce skills necessary to remain in recovery
· Meets regularly with the patient 1:1 to provide direct coaching, education and advocacy in linking, engaging and retaining patients in services identified in the Recovery Plan
· Acts as a role model, mentor, advocate and motivator to recovering patients in order to promote long term recovery
· Ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships while maintaining healthy boundaries and ethical standards at all times
· Serves as a point of contact when patients are at risk for relapse
· Participates in On Call Services as needed

30% Assists in implementing treatment plans
· Has a good working knowledge of the patient’s recovery plans and works to help the patient and their family follow the treatment plans
· Assist patient in identifying personal interests, goals, and strengths to increase successful treatment outcomes
· Assist patient in identifying barriers that may interfere with their recovery progress, and work with the patient to develop strategies to overcome identified barriers
· Assists the patient in remembering doctor’s or service organization appointments. Follow up with and engage patients who are experiencing barriers to attending appointments
· Helps the patient to understand how services will assist them in remaining in recovery

20% Participates as an active member of the treatment team
· Attends and participates in treatment team meetings
· Works as an advocate for the patient in team meetings and provides information about the patient’s ability to follow treatment plans in day to day life
· Travel among several different sites within the St. Lawrence Health Systems as well as the community or the patient’s home.
· Peers may also be utilized in substance use, mental health, primary care and emergency care as needed.

This does not represent a complete or all-encompassing view – other duties may be assigned / required / or change to meet the business needs. An incumbent and the organization both share ownership of bringing forward & documenting any duties that become significant or substantial to be included in the MJO’s.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification: 
· High school diploma/GED 
· Completion of Peer Recovery Training course- 30 hours 
· Peer Ethics Training Course 
· If applicant is Certified Recovery Peer Advocate- Provisional 
· Application must complete 500 hours of work experience, including 25 hours of supervision within 6 months  
· Schedule IC&RC Exam upon completion of work experience and receive passing grade 
· Maintain current certification status

Work Experience:
· Preference to applicants who are OASAS fully licensed and or provisional peer advocates
· some experience or education related to working with populations with substance use disorder
· Training or education in trauma-informed service

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:
· The candidate needs to have strong interpersonal skills. They will need to work effectively with patients, their families, community organizations, and staff members at all levels.
· Demonstrates responsibility for ongoing personal development, professional growth and continuing education
· Performs duties in a self-directed manner with minimal supervision or direction
· Ability to create and maintain detailed, accurate and timely documentation
· Indicates appreciation of population differences (cultural, ethnic, orientation, religious)
· Ability to work and/or be on call during evenings or weekends
· Complies with laws, rules, regulations and hospital policies.
· Protects from unauthorized and inappropriate disclosure, all confidential patient and hospital information in accordance with HIPPA regulations and hospital policies. Reports privacy issues through the chain of command, to the compliance officer, or the hotline.

CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
· Physical:
o Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time.
o Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
o Occasional stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and pushing up to 20 pounds.
o Close visual acuity, read charts, analyze and prepare data, transcribing, viewing a computer screen, dials, equipment settings, literature and other printed or handwritten materials.
o Work with equipment and manipulate equipment settings, computer keyboard, etc.

· Environmental:
o OSHA Category III: Little, to no risk of exposure to blood or body fluids.
o Regular and on-time attendance.
o Hours regularly exceed 40 hours per week.
o Office environments.
o Individual may be required to work non-standard shifts as needed (weekend, evenings, swing shift, or some combination).
o Occasional travel by conventional means to other locations as required.
o Incumbent may perform work virtually, as pre-approved or directed by leadership.

EDUCATION:

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS: 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Drive - Clinical - Roles in this category require frequent driving combined with mobile clinical care across settings such as emergency response, mobile clinics, and home health environments. Staff must repeatedly enter and exit vehicles, occasionally lift and carry equipment weighing up to 100 lbs. or more, and perform care within patients’ homes or other confined, unpredictable, or uncontrolled environments. These positions demand strong fine and gross motor control, firm grasping, and heightened visual and auditory awareness to ensure safe and effective care delivery. Emotional and cognitive demands are substantial due to rapid decision‑making, direct exposure to critical or sensitive situations, and independently managing patient care in the field or home setting. Environmental exposures may include traffic hazards, infectious agents, extreme temperatures, variable home conditions, and hazardous materials. Valid licensure, physical readiness, and flexibility for extended or on‑call schedules are typically required.

For disease specific care programs refer to the program specific requirements of the department for further specifications on experience and educational expectations, including continuing education requirements.

Any physical requirements reported by a prospective employee and/or employee’s physician or delegate will be considered for accommodations.

PAY RANGE:

$18.50 - $21.25Gouverneur13642

The posted pay range is a good faith representation of potential base pay for this position. It may be modified in the future and eligible for additional pay components. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates could vary based on position details and FTE. Pay is determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, experience, relevant qualifications, specialty, internal equity, locations, and contracts.

Rochester Regional Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.