Substance Use Peer Specialist

About this role

The Department of Family Medicine of the Keck School of Medicine of USC provides care for every member of the family, across generations and over lifetimes. We aim to enhance the quality of life for underserved and vulnerable patients while educating future generations of highly skilled, compassionate primary care specialists. Our goal is to combine education, patient advocacy, and evidence-based research to advance family medicine and geriatrics

People experiencing homelessness in and around MacArthur Park face a significantly elevated risk of death, particularly from drug overdose. In response to this urgent need, USC Street Medicine is seeking a Substance Use Peer Specialist to join the new MacArthur Park Service Area Team. This new interprofessional team will include an Advanced Practice Provider, Community Health Worker, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Substance Use Peer Specialist, Clinical Social Worker, Psychiatrist, and a Family and Addiction Medicine Physician.

The Substance Use Peer Specialist will play a vital role in engaging Patients with substance use and co-occurring mental health needs by providing real time support/onsite support, recovery-oriented counseling, case management, care coordination and outreach.  As a member of this multidisciplinary team (MDT), the Substance Use Peer Specialist collaborates closely with medical providers, social workers, community health workers, hospitals, recovery programs, and community partners to support whole-person care and improve health outcomes at all stages of recovery.

With emphasis on harm reduction and trauma informed care, this field based position will deliver care directly in encampments, streets, and other community settings, with some office-based responsibilities for care coordination and documentation. Additionally, the Substance Use Peer Specialist role may include driving Street Medicine Vehicles and supporting the team with situational awareness, scene safety and outreach.  This is a full-time, in-person position in Los Angeles, CA and in the field. There is no hybrid or remote schedule.

Essential job duties include, but are not limited to: • Provide substance use support and case management services to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles City Council District 1.

• Deliver on-site substance use screening, intakes, assessments and conducts counseling, brief interventions, and recovery support, using evidence based and harm reduction approaches.

• Provide education to Patients on substance use, relapse prevention, overdose prevention, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and other relevant health topics using a harm reduction and patient centered approach. 

• Conducts follow-ups with patients via phone calls, encampment visits, and visits to other settings where patients can be found

• Navigate Substance Use Disorder treatment options/resources/centers, and completing referrals appropriately. 

• Coordination of care to facilitate/support Patients transition to higher level of care; which can include hospitals, detox and/or residential treatment centers/facilities. 

• Attend planning and coordination meetings with CD1 team.

• Act as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient and community agencies (i.e., Housing for Health, Department of Human Services, hospitals, etc.) and ensures that patient needs are met with rights maintained; consults and collaborates with community providers to ensure continuity of care

• Participate in monthly Mental Health case conference review with Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine

• Recognizes changes in the patient’s physical and mental condition, takes appropriate action by notifying physician and/or nursing supervisor.

• Comprehensive, accurate and timely medical record documentation that reflects all aspects of care they provide during each encounter, including pertinent patient history, treatments, and coordination of care efforts ensuring compliance with the program, state licensing and other regulatory standards and guidelines dictated by role. 

• Promote security by alerting appropriate personnel for safety, fire and other unsafe situations, and reports any unusual occurrences to supervisor.

• Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to provide individualized interventions and services to promote restoration of health and achievement of patient health goals.

• Demonstrate an understanding of age-related and cultural needs of individuals served.

• Provides client care coordination in a manner that is non-discriminatory and non-judgmental

• Work cooperatively with external partners and organizations effectively communicating Street Medicine's mission

• Work closely with and is a part of the larger internal Street Medicine Multidisciplinary team, including Social Work Department, Registered Nurses, Physician/Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner, Community Health Workers and administration team.

Required Qualifications: • High school diploma or equivalent

• 1 year experience in a similar role  

• Certificate in a drug/alcohol program through a California approved certified program

Preferred Qualifications: • Experience working with unsheltered or homeless population, and navigating appropriate resources

• Knowledge of Los Angeles County Substance Use Treatment Centers (including detox and residential), supportive housing, and interacting with SASH Line

• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal.

• Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.

• Ability to multi-task effectively and demonstrate strong organizational skills.

• Sound judgment and decision making

• A cooperative and team-oriented attitude

Follows established USC and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.

This position is a full time, in

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