We are seeking persons with lived experiences dealing with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, or co-occurring disorders (MH/SA). This is an hourly position in which the PRS will be assigned a program participant (i.e., client) to work with on a hands-on, one-to-one basis. The PRS will work closely in a team setting with a Pathways Case Manager (CM) to assist the participant in linking with needed and identified community services. The PRS will also provide support and encouragement to the program participant as needed to ensure his/her ongoing participation and motivation in order to develop and implement a person-centered, individualized recovery plan.
The PRS’s role on the Pathways team is a unique one. S/he will foster a supportive, personal/professional relationship with the program participant in order to inspire and motivate the participant to engage in services and complete program requirements that can lead to a more fulfilling, productive and less harmful lifestyle. Some examples of how this might be achieved include, but are not limited to: transporting and accompanying a participant to a local AA/NA meeting, assisting the participant with navigating the local DMV process in order to reinstate their driver’s license, taking a hands-on, in-the-field role with the participant to access community services and other agency benefits (e.g., food stamps, etc.), or rendezvousing with area EMT staff to intervene with the potential participant and/or their family members to engage an overdose victim during the actual crisis period (within 72 hours).
Program participants are adults, voluntary, and have untreated substance use disorders and/or mental health issues which have directly or indirectly affected their ability to function safely and productively in society. Pathways attempts to offer these individuals an opportunity for treatment, and in some cases (i.e., diversion track) the opportunity to avoid court, legal charges, and convictions which could include fines, court costs, and even incarceration. We also offer a deflection track which is purely voluntary and available to individuals who feel they are ready to pursue a recovery program.
Responsibilities
- Ongoing input relevant to the participant’s readiness for treatment, or Stage of Change.
- Participate in a participant’s orientation session when available.
- Meet with participant face-to-face as directed by the Program Manager and Case Manager.
- Assist participants by linking them to local community service providers in order to address their identified needs. This may or may not include transporting the participant.
- Monitor the participant throughout the SA/MH recovery process to ensure compliance with all program requirements and to help continuously assess their needs.
- Perform urine drug screens when assigned, as required, using strict specimen collection protocols.
- Participate in weekly Pathways Team Meetings, in-person or via Zoom, and provide an update on each program participant assigned.
- Assist CM in monitoring assigned program participants to ensure his/her engagement/participation with suggested community resources.
- Document (i.e., within 24 hours) all PRS contacts in the Participants Log (an in-house electronic health record application).
- Inform CM whenever sanctions may be needed due to program noncompliance. PRSs will not impose upon the participant any sanctions so that the PRS can maintain a healthy, supportive, advocacy role with the participant.
- Coordinate transportation for participants, as needed, and provide at least 48-hour notice to the agency transporting the participant if it is not the PRS.
- Communicate via phone, email, or text messages, with CM to notify him/her of any community services provider comments or feedback to ensure effective and timely collaboration and coordination of care for the participant.
- Work closely with Case Manager to ensure continuity and coordination of care.
- Coordinate and provide care that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and client-centered.
- Review case progress/regress regularly with Case Manager.
- Participate in the phasing up discussions of assigned clients. Assist CM in the coordination of the graduation ceremony of assigned participant’s who have actively completed all program requirements.
- Develop effective working relations and cooperate with other treatment providers throughout the individual’s entire recovery program process.
- Support abeyances with other agencies or providers and maintain communications in the event the resuming of services appears applicable.
- Maintain professional boundaries and apply basic ethics in ALL communications and interactions with staff, interns, community service providers, and participants.
- Attend bi-weekly (i.e., every other week) training and supervision with PRS Supervisor. This may be in the form of one-hour, individual or group supervision.
- Readily self-assess and address personal motivational and psychosocial issues; request consultation prn with PRS supervisor to maintain healthy interactions and effectiveness with participants.
- Adhere to professional standards as outlined by protocols, rules and regulations.
- Other program-related duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Personal, individual experience dealing with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorder with a minimum of one-year of personal stability. 1
- Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)-Office of Recovery Services (ORS) certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) having successfully completed the 72-hour training course.2
- Be able to complete Medicaid reimbursement certification within 12 months of hire.
- Knowledge of typical and routine PRS duties and activities having performed these in a same or similar job, or in the course of having assisted others during their own recovery journey.
- Knowledge of case management principles, and mental health and substance use disorders.
- Experience with adults who have serious mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.
- The ability to incorporate additional training and supervision in the performance of his/her role as a PRS in keeping with the philosophies and principles of the Pathways Program.
- Effective communication skills.
- Good organizational and time management skills
- Ability to work autonomously, safely with only minimal supervision.
- Problem solving skills and ability to multi-task.
- Compassionate and possesses teamwork skills.
1Stability is defined as without psychiatric/substance use disorder hospitalization, or mental illness/substance abuse, relapse-related absences from work of more than 2 days during the past year (365 days).
2In some instances, Pathways may be able to temporarily waive this requirement while the PRS candidate enrolls in and successfully completes the certification course; Pathways may be able to provide all or some funding to cover the course enrollment fee.
Compensation
This is an hourly position. The person selected will be compensated at a rate of $20.00 - $25.00 an hour. This position does not have County benefits. Depending on availability, this position could be hired at a full-time status with benefits. A letter of interest and resume may be sent to
[email protected]. This position is open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.
