Peer Support Worker

Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc. • Full-time • Landover, MD, US • $45k - $55k / year • 1m ago

Peer Support Worker (District of Columbia or Maryland)

*Individuals with lived experiences and who are in recovery are strongly encouraged to apply

Job Summary:

The Peer Support Worker utilizes an overdose prevention framework to engage people who use drugs and equip them with life-saving tools and information to create positive change in their lives. The Peer Support Worker incorporates culturally sensitive strategies, including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion, to empower people who use drugs. The Overdose Prevention Outreach engages directly with people who use drugs to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission, improve physical, mental, and social well-being, and offer low-barrier options for accessing healthcare services, including substance use and mental health treatment. In addition, the Peer Support Worker implements innovative strategies to target individuals who engage in substance use. Specifically, the Peer Support Worker, will recruit program participants to engage in overdose prevention programming events at Us Helping Us People Into Living. Inc. and partner with Community Health Workers to conduct community-based outreach, mobilization, and other advocacy efforts.

Reporting to the Maryland Access Coordinator or District of Columbia Coordinator, the Peer Support Worker, will have the following responsibilities:

· Initiates community engagement and surveillance activities based on assignments and community trends.

· Recruits community members who engage in intravenous drug use and perform program engagement.

· Collaborates with Community Health Team members to identify program clients across community events and organizational programming.

· Performs safe syringe distribution in community and office settings.

· Facilitates overdose prevention education and promotes safe practices.

· Facilitates overdose prevention awareness to include Narcan, Fentanyl, and Xylazine education.

· Facilitates coordinating support services such as medical care, mental health, substance use, medication assistance treatment, and other social services.

· Adheres to overdose prevention, infection control, and organizational policies and procedures.

· Enters programmatic and client level data into the electronic health record and other systems.

· Attends community events and coordinates events in collaboration with the Community Health Team.

· Supports agency-wide initiatives and programs.

· Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Willingness to participate in professional development training to expand interpersonal skills, problem-solving and decision-making, verbal and written communication skills, and organizational and stress management skills.
Ability to foster a learning and cooperative work environment. Ability or willingness to work independently and take initiative in providing work responsibilities.
Commitment: Personal advancement and knowledge expansion through personalized training.
Knowledge: Passion to learn and improve the health of vulnerable populations people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases, and behavioral health disorders. Intermediate knowledge of local communities with the greatest need. Intermediate computer skills are required, including the use of Microsoft Office.
Skills: Demonstrated ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interviews and conversations that respect the dignity and diversity of our clients. Ability to engage clients in a supportive and empowering way. Ability to help manage conflict. Ability to maintain client records and information in an accurate, timely, and confidential manner. Ability to facilitate syringe exchange in a supportive and non-judgmental way.
Personal qualities: Sound judgment, ability to work independently (with limited supervision) but cohesively with medical and social service providers, and ability to work effectively in a busy and ever-changing environment.

Required Education, Experience and Qualifications:

A high school diploma or GED is preferred. Candidates must complete GED certification during the 12-month training period.
Have a valid driver's license with no DUI or major moving violation in the past 5 years. Regular travel within the greater Washington, DC area is required for this position.
Bilingual English/Spanish and/or other languages strongly preferred.
Must be in active recovery

Specifications:

This is a full-time position (working a minimum of 40 hours per week) and includes regular evening and weekend commitments.
The annual salary is $45,000 to $55,000 plus a generous benefits package, including 80/20 employer/employee-paid health insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, short-term disability and federally observed holidays.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. with a valid work permit required.
Must submit to a background investigation and drug test.
Us Helping Us has a smoke-free environment and non-smokers are preferred. Excellent personal hygiene is a must.

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Us Helping Us is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, language, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran with a disability.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits: