Recovery Coach

The responsibilities included in this position are the following:

• Engage with participants identified with SUD referred by the MGH Addiction Consult Team
• Serves as a liaison between the recovery community, the addiction treatment system, the medical treatment system, and the participant's community to provide connection to recovery-oriented systems of care
• Addresses barriers to self-defined recovery and serves as a role model and advocate
• Assists with access to treatment for SUD and co-occurring conditions, understanding and using systems and procedures to rapidly support identified needs of the participant
• Meet with participants in clinical settings to understand their needs and personal goals, support the exploration of potential positive and negative consequences associated with personal goals and work collaboratively with the participant to remove obstacles that might interfere with goal attainment
• Help participants navigate the healthcare system and social service system; accompany participants to appointments and meetings based on the wishes of the participant
• Educate participants about harm reduction, safe use practices, multiple pathways of recovery and utilize motivational enhancement techniques to explore ambiguity and tip the scales towards healthy decision-making
• Offer peer coaching and support to participants and helping to identify recovery-oriented goals
• Advocate and support the participant's voice during the care team's consideration and development of a comprehensive treatment plan
• Clearly and effectively offer to facilitate communication between the participant, primary care provider, and any external providers maintaining appropriate confidentiality procedures and boundaries
• Write brief non-clinical notes in the participant's medical record in support of effective and collaborative medical care and social services, attend multi-disciplinary team meetings
• Systematically review the progress and challenges of each participant with a peer supervisor, to understand the most effective ways to support and encourage participant success

Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required

Licenses and Credentials:

• Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) certification preferred
• Successful completion of Recovery Coach Academy before hire, or the successful completion of an approved Recovery Coach Academy within 4 months of hire
• Recovery Coach [State Certification] - preferred

Experience:

• Demonstrates ability to maintain 2 years of sustained and uninterrupted recovery at time of hire required; 3-5 years of sustained and uninterrupted recovery preferred
• Experience working with people with substance use disorders 1-2 years preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong advocacy skills along with knowledge of community-based services, resources, and local recovery community
• Demonstrated understanding of the multiple pathways approach to recovery from SUD and willingness to embrace a patient-centered, patient-driven approach that recognizes an individual's preferences and autonomy. Recovery by any means possible
• Demonstrated understanding of the efficacy of medication for addiction treatment as one of the multiple pathways to recovery
• Understanding of harm reduction and safe use techniques
• Excels at problem-solving and time management with the ability to multi-task; organized, efficient and process directed
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships to include effective boundaries with participants, families, and staff
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Effective use of the Internet and Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Outlook, and familiarity with EMR