Peer Recovery Support Specialist

PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a Peer Recovery Support Spec. This position will provide peer services and support to the population served and to serve as a liaison between the Recovery Support Services Team and treatment staff. This position will work with substance abuse and/or other mental health-related program participants in groups and/or on a one-on-one basis to provide advocacy and personal coaching/mentoring.

Key Duties, Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintains group and/or individual supportive interaction with participants, their families, and social supports.
• Facilitates RECOVERY SUPPORT groups as assigned.
• Assists case managers in directing clients to available resources in the community to promote community integration.
• Prepares clients for the challenges they will face.
• Transports clients to various community entities as deemed necessary by the case manager or program administrator.
• Implements peer services and provides support to the participants assigned to the program. Serves as an advocate and member of the treatment team.
• Assists in the orientation process for patients who are new to the substance abuse program or other mental health-related programs.
• Maintains group and individual supportive interaction with patients as assigned.
• Provides education and advocacy within the community and agency that promotes awareness of substance abuse disorders while reducing misconceptions, prejudice, and discrimination.
• Informs staffing team, case managers, counselors, and program administrators, on patients' strengths, accomplishments, and obstacles in relation to their recovery goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Work Characteristics

• Ability to encourage and persuade people.
• Ability to mentor others
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work independently
• Conflict resolution skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Written and verbal communication skills
• 2 years of relevant experience in a PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT environment required.
• CRSS, FORMLL, or NCPRSS is preferred and must be obtained within one year of hire.

Hourly Range: $15.00-$21.15

Education

• High School diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of relevant experience in a PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT environment is required.
• Certified or eligible to be certified as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) by The Alabama Department of Mental Health OR Certified Peer Support Specialist through FORMLL
• OR Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). NCPRSS preferred.
• Must obtain certification within one year from the date of hire into classification.