PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST TIER 1 - Addiction Response Team (ART) - Hospital Sector

Peer Recovery Specialist – Tier 1 is a foundational role within the Addiction Response Team (ART) providing peer-based engagement, outreach, and connection to treatment and recovery services through lived experience. Tier 1 Peer Recovery Specialists build core peer support competencies while learning ART workflows, grant requirements, Medicaid expectations, and embedded sector operations (jail, court, hospital/clinic, community).

The Peer Recovery Specialist – Tier 1 reports to the Peer Recovery Supervisor and indirectly to the Program Manager.

Hospital / Clinic Sector – Role Summary (Tier 1 Peer)

· Complete facility onboarding and healthcare workflow training

· Develop understanding of hospital and emergency department workflows

· Support engagement using SBIRT and AUDIT-C screening tools, as appropriate

· Develop familiarity with FirstNet (Banner) and EPIC (UCHealth) documentation systems as needed for coordination

· Provide harm reduction education related to alcohol, THC, and other substances

· Offer encouragement and peer support to individuals considering MAT or treatment services

· Support referrals to care coordination and assist individuals with follow-up appointment navigation

· Participate in outreach within required post-discharge timelines (e.g., 48 hours, 14 days, 45 days) through peer engagement

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Tier 1 staff are expected to build foundational knowledge and skills through training, supervision, and supported practice.

· Minimum of two (2) years in active personal recovery from substance use

· Ability to engage individuals through shared lived experience while maintaining professional boundaries

· Ability to model recovery-oriented behaviors and reinforce strengths-based, person-centered approaches

· Foundational understanding of substance use disorders, including common substances, withdrawal basics, harm reduction principles, and overdose response

· Foundational knowledge of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and how peers support engagement in MAT

· Awareness of co-occurring mental health conditions (recognizing signs, not diagnosing)

· Ability to engage individuals in hospital, jail, court, office, and community-based settings

· Cultural humility and ability to effectively engage diverse populations

· Strong verbal and written communication skills (phone, in-person, and electronic formats)

· Strong decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities

· Ability to manage stressful situations calmly and non-reactively

· Ability to adjust priorities as member needs change

· Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policy

· Basic computer skills or willingness to learn EMR systems and data collection platforms including RDP

· Reliable transportation and able to meet the requirements for driving a company vehicle (driving record)

   Ability to work independently in environments with frequent interruptions

· This role requires strict adherence to confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, organizational policies, and ethical peer practices.

Key Responsibilities

Peer Support & Engagement

· Provide peer-based support through lived experience, encouragement, and recovery-focused conversation

· Build foundational understanding of person-centered, strengths-based, and recovery-oriented language

· Engage in training and supervised practice of motivational interviewing techniques

· Support individuals in identifying recovery goals and next steps

· Promote independence by sharing resources and modeling recovery behaviors

· Act as an ambassador to individuals experiencing substance use by connecting them to treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and community support resources

Member Engagement, Referrals & Follow-Up

· Intake and contact incoming referrals within 2–24 business hours

· Complete intake assessments and reassessments in RDP within required timelines

· Support short-term monitoring and follow-up

· Assist individuals with navigating appointments, referrals, follow-up