The Job
Carteret County Government’s new Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) is seeking to fill a Certified Peer Support Specialist role. Do you have a desire to assist in the prevention of overdose fatalities in the community? Are you a compassionate & professional individual who has experience in community service and working with families in crisis? Then, a Certified Peer Support Specialist position may be the role for you!
The Location
Office location is in Morehead City, NC.
The Details
Hiring range $39,123.90 - $43,036.29.
Posting expires 10/29/2023
Full-time with benefits including paid medical, dental, vision and life insurance; retirement and 401(k) plans; and, paid sick, vacation and holiday leave.
Apply online at https://carteret-apply.pdsvista.com
The Job Description
General Statement of Duties
Provides and coordinates intermediate human support through providing direct services and support to people who use drugs and friends/family who experience and/or witness overdose.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee of this role assists in the prevention of overdose fatalities and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Work includes participating in community educational programs, providing individual and families with training and resources, collaborating with other human services professionals, and maintaining confidential records. Work is characterized by empowering individuals through connection, education, and linkage to a variety healthcare options, treatment options, harm reduction strategies, and social resources. Work requires promoting a culture in which each individual’s point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected and integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities. Sound professional judgment and initiative are required in the performance of duties. Work is performed under the supervision of the PORT Team Navigator and is evaluated through annual evaluation process, conferences, reports and client/family feedback.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks
• Provides individual coaching, mentoring and consultation to promote recovery, self-advocacy and self-direction while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Responsible for assisting in creating opportunities for community education and outreach activities; contributes to the development and delivery of educational programs such as overdose awareness and treatment, community naloxone distribution resources, etc.
• Collaborates with other human services, law enforcement and health agencies; develops and maintains up-to-date network of local human services resources that provide healthcare, detox, and treatment services.
• Links participants to wrap around services as needed and assists in completing and submitting necessary referral paperwork.
• Coordinates direct services with program members to community resources.
• Tracks data meticulously and reports to the PORT Team Leader all program interactions, naloxone distribution data, outreach interactions, and referrals to care.
• Performs regular outreach to individuals within Carteret County affected by drug use and other at-risk behavior to connect them to appropriate community resources.
• Maintains and distributes naloxone kits to population in need.
• Participates in all PORT meetings and training sessions on best practices and harm reduction; completes ongoing training to maintain certification compliance.
• Follows up with patients who experience an opiate overdose via phone call or in person visit. Educates, provides access to harm reduction programs and referrals as needed. Connects with families of patients regarding resources and naloxone education.
• Listens and connects with family of overdose patients to express and address their concerns; encourages and suggests constructive action such as counseling, support group, and/or other local resources.
• Creates and maintains accurate confidential program records for assisted individuals, to include statistics and services delivered.
Additional Duties
Performs related duties as required.