Substance Use Navigator (Peer Recovery Specialist) Team Lead

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) - Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA)

Minimum of 2-year full-time employment as CPRS

Upon Hire

Specialized Knowledge and Skills Requirements

Ability to demonstrate proficient knowledge and understanding of peer service scope of practice within a healthcare system

Experience working in clinical, community-based, or hospital settings.

Experience with recovery coaching models.

Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, and recovery-oriented systems of care.

Familiarity with electronic health records and documentation standards

Proficient with basic computer functions such as utilizing shared drives, saving files, creating PDF's, etc.

Ability to effectively utilize Microsoft Office applications such as; Outlook, Teams, etc.

Ability to work effectively with a variety of personalities at various organizational levels.

Ability to integrate best practices and support other members of peer recovery team

Provide day-to-day mentorship, and professional support to peer recovery specialists.

Act as role model to SUN team members and supports leadership initiatives

Assist leadership with orientation and training of new and existing SUN team members; as well as department peer recovery trainees

Foster a collaborative, strengths-based, and inclusive team environment

Provide peer-based recovery support that aligns with lived experience, ethics, and recovery-oriented practices.

Model effective use of lived experience in professional and appropriate ways.

Support team members and patients in developing and implementing recovery plans

Support and/or aids SUN team and peer trainees with professional development of peer recovery service skills and core competencies

Assist with the facilitation of appointments at outpatient treatment clinics including Carle Addiction Recovery Center (CARC) and external agencies within the community.

Assist with access to other services such as financial counseling, primary care, mental health services, social services, and residential treatment facilities.

Assist with navigating barriers to patients seeking substance use treatment.

Establish professional relationships with patients and communicate with them to help navigate obstacles to follow up treatment, and provide encouragement.

Advocate for a harm-reduction approach to patients who use drugs within hospital and community settings to reinforce evidence-based, non-judgmental approaches so that patients who use drugs get the same care as patients who do not use drugs.

Assist in facilitating initiation of MAR with on-site clinician, when applicable, or with an outpatient provider.

Make contact and establish a positive relationship with patients in the hospital or emergency department who use drugs. Utilizing standardized tools and assessments to identify patient needs, provide brief intervention as applicable.

Support implementation of best practices among SUN team with leadership support and guidance

Work with SUN Program Supervisor to set up a robust system for ensuring patient referral and follow-up outside of the SUN's regular hours.

Act as SUN team point of contact when needed

Proactively participates in all SUN team meetings

Identify and communicate areas for program improvement initiatives

Supports services with adequate program coverage across sites or shifts

Develop expertise in insurance benefits and exclusions related to treatment.

In conjunction with supervisor, develop relationships with a comprehensive array of community service providers to address the needs of people with SUD or co-occurring mental health disorders.

Respond to calls or messages directly from patients and providers, as appropriate.

Advocate for a culture of low threshold access to medication assisted recovery for patients that includes signage or materials inviting patients to seek help for substance use in prominent areas of the ED and hospital.

Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with patients in a respectful, culturally appropriate, non-judgmental manner.

Maintain up-to-date information about the effects of various substances, withdrawal symptoms, and treatment options in order to effectively educate and counsel patients.

Mentors and supports staff adherence to ethical codes, confidentiality rules (including HIPAA), and organizational policies.

Supports development of systems to maintain team knowledge of IL CPRS certification requirements and continuing education standards.