**$19.00-20.00/hr**

JOB SUMMARY

The New Orleans Peer Recovery Coach (PRC) is an active member of the Family Focused Recovery (FFR) Team and provides peer support to pregnant and/or parenting women who are using substances. Under the supervision of the Family SUD Specialist, the PRC will function as a guide and role model for women from first encounter with the program through long-term aftercare. The PRC will serve as an advocate and will stand by and provide support for women as they have encounters with entitlement agencies, courts, child welfare and other such settings. The PRC performs a wide range of tasks to assist women in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conducts outreach activities designed to reach women who are pregnant and/or parenting who use substances to engage them in the FFR program.
2. Conducts outreach and education to medical and social service professionals the opioid epidemic and other resources available to pregnant and/or parenting women in need of SUD treatment.
3. Provides specific information about recovery and recovery processes. Provides interim support, encouragement and assists with resource acquisition to individuals seeking, or considering admission for treatment services.
4. Assists individuals in completing intake, stands by as an advocate, and guides in the early days of treatment to assure a smooth transition to treatment routine.
5. Assists women in understanding the importance of the development of treatment goals and supports women in recognizing their personal strengths and abilities to aid in recovery planning processes.
6. Serves as a member of the FFR Team. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment meetings. Provides formal peer support groups focusing on topics specified by treatment schedule, including topics related to empowerment, recovery, and self-advocacy.
7. Provides coaching, mentoring and engagement strategies for women receiving services through VOASELA’s FFR Program.
8. Accompanies or meets individuals in community-based settings to assist them in practicing newly acquired skills.
9. Assists women and families post discharge by providing intensive aftercare services including ongoing peer support to ensure successful reintegration.
10. Helps in coordinating, managing, and monitoring of the FFR program.
11. Assists clients who have experience social stigma with their sense of acceptance and affiliation.
12. Assists VOASELA and FFR staff in creating and maintaining a recovery-oriented environment.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

This position requires knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, computer skills, proficiency in MS Office, Word, Excel, and Power Point is required.
• Ability to interact with staff (all levels) in a respectful manner, remaining flexible, proactive, and task oriented and be well organized and attention to details are a must.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Required: Peer Support Specialist certification and/or lived experience with a behavioral health and/or substance use disorder diagnosis with at least 12 months (24-36 months preferred) of continuous demonstrated recovery.
• Preferred: 1-2 years’ experience working with women who use substances.  
• Knowledge of the substance use disorder continuum of care available in Greater New Orleans area.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and CFR 42 Part 2.
• Experience within Electronic Health Systems.
• Must be able to successfully pass background check (not all convictions will exclude candidates from being hired)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is primarily performed in a normal office environment generally while seated at a desk. Dexterity is required to performing work with personal computer keyboard, calculator and other office equipment.

Incumbent’s work will be performed at various locations in the community where services are provided to consumers. Incumbent should be a vehicle operator with the ability to travel within the Greater New Orleans area frequently and the outlying nine parish region semi-frequently.

In compliance with Federal and State equal employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, non-job related disability, or any other protected group status.