Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Job Summary

The Peer Recovery Specialist's (PRS) role is to support others in recovery from a substance use disorder. This individual serves as an advocate and motivator to recovering individuals to help promote long-term recovery. PRS will develop trusting relationships with clients while maintaining professional boundaries, help clients address challenges during the recovery process, and assist client in linkage and engagement in care. PRS will also direct community outreach efforts.

This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.

Essential Functions

• Conduct outreach to establish and cultivate relationships with community members and organizations
• Professionally represent Drexel HOPE program to clients, community members and community organizations
• Conduct intake assessments, rapid HIV tests and rapid hepatitis C tests for new HOPE clients
• Engage patients by sharing individual story of recovery and develop meaningful and trusting relationships with patients, acting as a mentor
• Assess individual needs, identify barriers to successful connection to and retention in care, and coordinate with care team to connect clients to services as appropriate
• Handle the logistics for patients such as arranging transportation for the client, managing follow-up appointments, and collaborating with other care team members.
• Coordinate warm-hand offs with MOUD sites and community agencies.
• Support clients in addressing challenges of recovery process and assist and guides clients towards developing goals.
• Provide ongoing support and mentorship throughout engagement in program
• Conduct HIV and viral hepatitis education, testing, and patient navigation including organizing community testing events, follow-up on test results, linkage to prevention & treatment services, and patient navigation to improve treatment adherence.
• Log and track HIV and viral hepatitis data
• Ability to travel (car, walk or public transportation) to other community locations.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Provides phlebotomy services to clients when needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a HS Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 2 years
• Personal lived experience with substance use disorder and recovery, with demonstrated stability in recovery
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to develop clear lines of professional boundaries
• Understanding of Harm Reduction Principles and Practices
• Knowledge of recovery process and community resources available in Philadelphia
• Ability to adapt and work efficiently within a variety of situations
• Peer Specialist certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Phlebotomy experience preferred
• Bilingual - Spanish and English preferred

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

• Center City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Non-Exempt, grade H. Compensation for this grade ranges from $17.14 to $25.71 per hour. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.