Harm Reduction Peer Support Specialist

  • Part-time

Company Description

Unified-HIV Health and Beyond is the only comprehensive AIDS service organization in its Michigan ten-county area, UNIFIED's mission is to provide HIV related services to the community through compassionate direct care, prevention and outreach activities. We invite you to explore UNIFIED and learn about HIV testing, the depth of services UNIFIED provides and how you can get involved.

 

 

Job Description

Title: Harm Reduction Peer Support Specialist

This position is a part-time/non-exempt working 15 hours per week.

The Peer Support Specialist will provide assertive outreach and engagement with the target population, provide extra assistance and support to participants in accessing community resources and services, and use their personal experience of recovery to provide hope and encouragement to participants aged 13-26. Peer Support Specialists will have experience or interest in multiple pathways to recovery and adhere to a harm reduction model of peer advocacy. The goal is to reach youth who might be actively using substances and/or who are not connected to Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment or other traditional service systems. 

DUTIES:

  • Offer Community Outreach, Peer Support, Case Management, and Overdose Prevention to youth in Washtenaw County.
  • Work with Program Staff to enhance recovery experience for those with SUD.
  • Connect clients to a continuum of care, including pretreatment, treatment and offer appropriate and continuing support throughout recovery.
  • Understand practices of harm reduction and abstinence -based addiction treatment/recovery principles and practices a way to reach, engage, and support positive change across the spectrum of drug use, substance use disorders and recovery.
  • Possess SMART Recovery training or complete in one year.
  • Possess CCAR training or complete in one year.
  • Motivation and self-direction; ability to prioritize competing responsibilities.
  • Possess skills related to leadership, motivation, group dynamics, and client retention
  • Computer competency, including the ability to enter and access data relevant to program, required.
  • Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a diverse team.
  • Ability to work with other community-based youth services organizations.
  • Sensitivity to ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, values, beliefs, and behaviors.
  • Flexibility with client's priorities, evolving needs, and goals.
  • Ability to meet deadlines

Qualifications

Education: Minimum High School Diploma, Completion of CCAR and SMART training within a year. 

Experience: Experience working or proven ability to effectively work with and communicate with diverse communities of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, and cultures. A person who has progressed in their own recovery and has a minimum, one year of addiction recovery and actively involved in recovery activities.

Knowledge: Basic knowledge of HIV/ STI Information, Youth Treatment Programs, and Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Working knowledge of the community, health systems, key stakeholders and peer leaders. Moderate computer literacy.

Skills: 1-2 years in group facilitation preferred. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to function independently.

Access to a properly insured vehicle for the performance of job responsibilities is a requirement for this position.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.