Peer Recovery Coach - Emergency Department
Posted 02/26/2025 | Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Organization: Medical University of South Carolina, Addiction Sciences Division
Organization Address: 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425
Job Description: Assigned to the Addiction Sciences Division of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), position provides non-clinical services intended to aid patients in establishing recovery from dependence on alcohol and/or drugs or high-risk use of substances. Works as part of the Emergency Department Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (ED MOUD) team to provide peer support for patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders. Assists in screening patients admitted to the MUSC ED and hospital with substance misuse. Uses motivational interviewing skills to assess motivation for change and to help patient set and obtain goals. Facilitates coordination and promotes successful linkage to outpatient substance treatment and provides a warm hand-off to community treatment providers. Also serves as a patient advocate for individuals they are serving and integrates with hospital staff to reduce stigma. Available to patients after discharge for support and to troubleshoot any outpatient barriers to care. Services will be provided in the MUSC ED setting with appropriate follow-up. Geographic responsibilities include MUSC Charleston as well as other MUSC locations. This role is research grant funded.
Job Responsibilities:
• (20%) Identifies and screens hospitalized patients for problematic substance use and conducts brief intervention. Further assesses patients who have screened positive for problematic us by other hospital staff. Once identified, assesses patient's readiness to change and uses motivational interviewing techniques to support a plan. Triages referrals to the social worker and psychiatry consult team for psychosocial needs and evaluation for medication-assisted treatment.
• (20%) Works with patient and inpatient team to identify community support services and facilitate and coordinate successful linkage to outpatient treatment. Assists patients and family members with understanding how to utilize community services and helps link patient to outpatient substance treatment services. This includes helping patient identify barriers to successful linkage to outpatient treatment (e.g., transportation, lack of photo ID) and helping the patient problem-solve. Might provide warm hand-off to community providers.
• (10%) Acts as a peer support throughout the hospitalization and helps patient facilitate attainment of patient’s goals. This includes providing patient and family with recovery resources and information. Models healthy coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• (10%) Collaborates and participates in multidisciplinary rounds. Participants in inpatient rounds to give insight and perspective into patient cases and psychosocial dynamics that influence patient care. Will work closely with complex care case manager and social workers on patient cases.
• (5%) Serves as a patient advocate and integrates with hospital staff to reduce the stigma of addiction. Acts as a resource to other clinical team members on recovery support.
• (10%) Contacts patients and serves as a resource post-discharge. Consents patients for contact after discharge by the team and attempts to contact within 48 hours of discharge to assess any barriers to transitions of care.
• (10%) Contacts treatment providers and patients to check status of treatment after discharge. Contacts treatment centers to verify whether patient showed for follow-up appointment. Contacts patients by telephone who have missed an appointment to assess barriers.
• (10%) Attends required staff and weekly meetings and completes required documentation and reports. Reports patient outcomes.
• (5%) Performs other duties as required.
Required Qualifications:
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Must be actively engaged in his/her own recovery program with a minimum of three years of demonstrated personal recovery and sustained abstinence from alcohol and/or drug use.
• Must have completed the South Carolina course for Certified Peer Support Specialists.
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills, as well as good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read, interpret documents, and write routine reports.
• Basic computer skills.
• Willingness to learn and an interest in acquiring new skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Human Services, Counseling, or a related field.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to relate to patients and health professionals, as well as an ability to develop professional working relationships with partner agencies.
Salary: $36,408 - $61,901 (Pay Grade Health-23)
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
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