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The Recovery Coach (RC) is considered an essential, non-clinical member of the care team. The RC will provide peer recovery support services to patients with substance use disorder (SUD) and will assist patients in achieving and sustaining recovery as defined by each individual patient. This position will facilitate patient access to recovery-oriented substance use disorder treatment, resources, and community recovery groups. The RC will bridge the segregated treatment system into a more holistic care model through providing support across multiple systems and frameworks of care. This position will maintain ongoing patient support regardless of relapse and will serve as a motivator, ally, role model, sounding board, and advocate for patients with substance use disorders. The RC should possess thorough understanding of community culture to address the barriers to successful recovery, use human experience language in place of clinical jargon, and provide links to community resources and treatment options.
This position will be based halftime at the Bulfinch Medical group, a primary care practice halftime at the West End Clinic, an outpatient dual-diagnosis program. Both roles will be at the MGH Main Campus. The responsibilities included in this position are the following:
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Engage with patients identified with SUD referred by MGH outpatient or hospital staff
• Serves as a liaison between the recovery community, the addiction treatment system, the medical treatment system, and the patient’s community, family, and social context to facilitate connections across systems of care
• Works collaboratively with treatment team in support of evidence-based services to patients with SUD
• Addresses barriers to successful recovery and serves as role model and advocate
• Conducts active outreach efforts to encourage attendance and participation in recovery-oriented, self-help, and pro-social groups
• Assists with access to treatment for SUD and co-occurring conditions, understanding and using systems and procedures to rapidly support identified needs of the patient
• Meet hospitalized patients with SUD prior to discharge and facilitate patient access to next stage of treatment
• Meet with patients in clinical and community 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 patient to remove obstacles that might interfere with goal attainment.
• Together with input from the patient, join with clinical staff, to facilitate referrals to appropriate disposition options.
• Help patient navigate the healthcare system and social service system; accompany patients to appointments and meetings based on the wishes of the patient.
• Negotiate and create opportunities for access to treatment and social services with patient’s participation; advocate on behalf of patients to help decrease barriers to care
• Educate patients about addiction 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 patients to identify and develop their own personal wellness goals and to achieve and maintain the highest level of health to include sustained long-term recovery
• Support the development of individualized wellness plans with each patient who wishes to do so
• Advocate and support the patient’s voice during the care team’s consideration and development of a comprehensive treatment plan
• Be available to provide support to patients in immediate risk of using substances or for other time-sensitive matters during regular business hours and to develop with the patient interwoven local, natural and clinical supports and resources outside of business hours.
• Be available and accessible to patients over time, regardless of where they are in their recovery. Clearly and effectively offer to facilitate communication between the patient, PCP, and any external providers maintaining appropriate confidentiality procedures and boundaries
• Attend clinical rounds/team meetings with the WEC and BMG teams, present updates on patients, and participate in discussion with other care team members in the development of ongoing plans for each patient
• Write brief non-clinical notes in the patient’s medical record in support of effective and collaborative medical care and social services.
• Systematically review the progress and challenges of each patient with a peer supervisor, to understand the most effective ways to support and encourage patient success.
• Assists with data collection for quality assurance and program evaluation QUALIFICATIONS:
• High school diploma or GED required
• 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 young adults and adolescents preferred
• Successful completion of a CCAR approved Recovery Coach Academy before hire, or the successful completion of a CCAR approved Recovery Coach Academy within 4 months of hire.
• Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) certification required within first 12 months of employment
• 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 (MAT) as one of the multiple pathways to recovery
- Excels at problem-solving, time management with the ability to multi-task; organized, efficient and process directed
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships to include effective boundaries with patients/families and staff
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Effective use of the Internet and Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Outlook
- Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply
