Certified Peer Recovery Associate

Position Summary

The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) maintains an caseload of active Ashley patients and facilitates regular, individual peer support sessions with each assigned patient throughout their treatment episode. The CPRS adheres to the Principles and Guidelines for the CPRS credential that are required by Maryland Addiction & Behavioral-Health Professionals Certification Board. The CPRS serves as a part of a patient’s assigned treatment team and actively engages with the interdepartmental members of this team to ensure quality of care. The CPRS provides patients with resources deemed appropriate for ongoing care and helps connect patients to these resources throughout the course of treatment.

Key Responsibilities

Peer Recovery Support

Maintains an active caseload of current patients and provides individual, scheduled peer support services for each assigned patientManages new patient assignments for peer support services through internal referral system Adheres to the domains of the Maryland CPRS credential: Advocacy, Ethical Responsibility, Mentoring/Education, Recovery/Wellness SupportAdheres to the “Principles and Guidelines” of the Maryland CPRS credentialMeets with each assigned patient weekly for an individual peer support session lasting 30 minutes or moreIntentionally engages with each assigned patient during each scheduled shiftActively collaborates as a member of each assigned patients’ treatment team to support patients through residential treatment and their discharge planning processFacilitates community topic groups, mutual support groups, discussion groups while adhering to the correct procedures and skills necessaryProvides educational and experiential lectures, workshops, and presentations to the patient communityParticipates in clinical interventions when requestedSuccessfully addresses behavioral issues in a professional, compassionate manner, relaying behavioral issues to the appropriate partiesUtilizes the peer support skills necessary to best serve the patient population including, but not limited to active listening, patient re-engagement, de-escalation, advocacy, and accountability.Adheres to the Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Discharge Planning

Identifies resources aligned with the recommended level of aftercare and presents them to assigned patientsAssists patients in connecting with aftercare resources through phone calls, virtual interviews, online applications, etc. Assists patients in solidifying appointments/services with aftercare resources through navigating insurance verifications, medical records transfers, financial discussions, and transportation arrangementsProvides each assigned patient with a printed or electronic Continuing Care Plan reflecting all appointments and/or recommended resourcesCollaborates with clinical staff to ensure any involved family members are aware of aftercare arrangements and, when appropriate, communicates with family members of patients to provide pertinent aftercare information

Patient Accountability/Safety and Security

Maintains an understanding of the patient schedule for each programShares the responsibility of facilitating programming through signup sheet (i.e., scheduled lectures, workshops, patient phone time, “Welcome Tours”, etc.)Understands the layout of the Ashley campus (room numbers/locations, offices, building amenities) and can accurately provide this informationPerforms scheduled rounds of the campus.Utilizes Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) skills when necessaryUses proper radio etiquette Effectively carries out CA responsibilities during emergency drills and events

Documentation/Communication

Uses professional, objective, person-centered language when documenting in the patient’s medical recordDocuments all Individual Peer Services in TIER with accurate timestamps and contentMaintains communication via email with clinical staff regarding the progress, participation, and behavior of assigned, mutual patientsProficiently documents patient behavioral concerns in EMRProficiently enters Clinical Aide Notes for new admission “Welcome Tours”Utilizes Outlook to communicate patient/programming needs to the departmentCompetently enters incident reports in RL6 software Ensures all new admissions sign Laundry Services, Evacuation Procedures, and Ashley Patient Guidelines consent forms in TIERProficient in operating and troubleshooting the A/V systems for each lecture hall

Intake

Facilitates thorough “Welcome Tours” for all new admissions Collaborates with PSS management and clinical staff to ensure each new admission is assigned to a CPRS caseloadReviews the Ashley Patient Handbook and competently answers questions regarding the inpatient treatment experienceCarries out the administering of Trac9 assessments

Transportation

Safely transports new admissions, discharging patients, and performs other trips as assignedAdheres to the procedure for transporting patients to medical appointments/LOAsProficiently utilizes GPS as well as safely navigating during inclement weather conditions and varying times of the day/eveningAccurately documents information in the pre-trip safety inspection logDocuments accurate patient transport logsReports behavior of passengers to appropriate Ashley clinical staff; Maintains a clean and serviced vehicleReports accidents or moving violations through the proper channelsSafely transports patients in Ashley golf carts

Desired Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Maryland Certified Peer Recovery Specialist certification requiredRecovery Coach Professional certification preferredCPR/BLS certification requiredCPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certificate requiredRecovery Coach Academy certification requiredOne year of work experience in SUD or behavioral health setting requiredHigh School diploma or GED required; Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services preferred. Valid driver’s license with clean driving record requiredAbility to maintain calm within the patient community during any emergency or drillWorking knowledge and acceptance of multiple pathways to recovery (12-step, Peer Recovery, SMART, etc.)Demonstrates current, accurate knowledge of trends and issues related to recovery and wellnessAbility to facilitate effective support groups in a behavioral health settingDemonstrates a strong ability to develop personal rapport with patients in a healthcare settingSets clear boundaries with patientsSpeaks and acts in an ethical manner in accordance to the Principles and Guidelines of the Maryland CPRS credentialExcellent customer service skillsKnowledge of SUD treatment language and documentation expectations