Senior Community Outreach Specialist - Peer Coach for Substance Use and Infectious Disease Care Integration

Join Our Extraordinary Team at Johns Hopkins University

At the Johns Hopkins Center for Substance Use and Infectious Disease Care Integration, we're dedicated to improving the health and wellness of individuals struggling with opioid use, alcohol consumption, and mental health disorders. We're seeking an experienced Senior Community Outreach Specialist - Peer Coach to join our person-centered team in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients.

About Our Team and Mission

Our team collaborates to provide Recovery Support Services as part of long-term grant-funded projects focused on outreach, linkage, and retention in HIV and viral hepatitis care. We strive to link each client to evidence-based medications for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), integrating harm reduction methodologies into our care approach. As a Senior Community Outreach Specialist - Peer Coach, you will be an integral part of this mission, working closely with medical professionals, community-based organizations, and Addiction Treatment Programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Interact professionally and thoughtfully with clients, medical professionals, and community organizations, demonstrating a commitment to patient-centered care.
• Manage a caseload of assigned patients across projects, teaching them how to safely start buprenorphine treatment and working with them according to project protocols and patient-developed goals.
• Track patient progress using project-specific registries and support care plans agreed upon by the Treatment Team.
• Provide Coaching and Recovery Support Services based on evidence-based treatments, contributing to Team efforts to improve care for individuals with substance use and mental health disorders.
• Attend scheduled Peer Coach trainings, seminars, and meetings, demonstrating the ability to use coaching and collaborative skills effectively.
• Administer standard evaluations to assess patient progress at regular time points and communicate individual patient progress to the Treatment Team.
• Support patients in understanding and working with their medical team, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations, as well as navigating available resources independently.
• Maintain accurate documentation of interactions with program clients within 24 hours and be available to assigned patients during working hours.
• Some travel to clients and community partners may be required, necessitating a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field, with some related work experience. Additional experience may substitute for required education according to the JHU equivalency formula.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for travel to work sites when needed.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Motivated with an exceptional work ethic and understanding of Recovery Support principles and Harm Reduction methodologies.
• Lived experience with HIV, substance use, or mental health disorders is highly valued, though not required; the ability to communicate empathy through lived experience is crucial.
• Proficiency in using computer programs such as Outlook, Microsoft Excel, and basic data entry programs, with a willingness to learn the Electronic Medical Record.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a commitment to a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Flexibility with work schedule and ongoing commitment to workplace safety, including adherence to infectious disease protocols and COVID-19 pandemic requirements.

Career Growth and Learning Benefits

As a Senior Community Outreach Specialist - Peer Coach at Johns Hopkins University, you will have opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and supportive team environment. Our commitment to improving care for individuals with substance use and mental health disorders ensures a stimulating and challenging role that fosters continuous learning and skill enhancement.

Work Environment and Culture

We pride ourselves on a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, advancing these principles through our strategic framework. Our work environment is collaborative and supportive, holding patients, coworkers, and clinic staff in unconditional positive regard. As a full-time employee, you will work Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, as a non-exempt employee.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary range for this position is $16.75 to $29.30 hourly, commensurate with experience. Johns Hopkins University offers a comprehensive total rewards package that supports employees' health, life, career, and retirement. For more information on our benefits, please refer to our website.

Why Apply?

If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding role. While meeting every single requirement is not necessary, a great attitude and willingness to learn are highly valued. Johns Hopkins University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your application through our website. If you require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Office. We look forward to welcoming a dedicated Senior Community Outreach Specialist - Peer Coach to our team.

Don't hesitate to apply today and be part of our mission to improve the health and wellness of our clients!

Apply Now