Community Health Technician / Peer Support Specialist

About the role

The Community Health Technician / Peer Support Specialist position at Johnston County Public Health Department is a full-time opportunity. The role involves responding to dispatched overdose calls, conducting follow-up visits, providing harm reduction resources, and connecting individuals and families to community resources.

Responsibilities

• Respond to dispatched overdose calls in Johnston County while on duty and provide harm reduction resources real-time.
• Conduct follow-up visits to individuals who have experienced an overdose via phone call or in person visit within 24-48 hours.
• Provides education on Harm Reduction programs and referrals as needed.
• Connects with families of individuals regarding resources and naloxone (NARCAN) education.
• Conduct outreach in the community.
• Provide individualized harm reduction education and efforts to participants on overdose prevention, use of naloxone, Hepatitis C Virus, STI and HIV risk reduction and safer drug use.
• Arrange medical appointments, monitor client behavior, schedule pro-social activities, and coordinate client transportation.
• Provides individual coaching, mentoring and consultation to promote recovery, self-advocacy and self-direction while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Model recovery values, attitude, beliefs, and personal action to encourage wellness.
• Assists 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 an 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.
• Carefully tracks data meticulously and reports to the PORT Team Leader/Opioid Grant Coordinator all program interactions, naloxone distribution data, outreach interactions, and referrals to care.
• Participates in PORT meetings and training sessions related to best practices and harm reduction strategies; completes ongoing training to maintain certification compliance.
• 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 clients, to include statistics and services delivered.

Requirements

• Experience in monitoring treatment adherence, tracking progress, and providing emotional support can be beneficial in helping individuals stay engaged in treatment.
• Experience in case management, which involves coordinating care, accessing resources, and providing support, can be helpful in navigating the complexities of substance use disorder treatment.
• Experience working directly with individuals who have substance use disorders in various settings (e.g., treatment facilities, community health centers, hospitals).
• A combination of practical skills, knowledge, and a supportive, non-judgmental approach. This includes understanding addiction, basic counseling techniques, and potential triggers or crises.
• Direct experience in a healthcare setting, especially one involving substance abuse treatment, is also highly valuable.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities as stated above through at least two years of experience in performing similar tasks in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, medical corps, or medical treatment program.

Skills and Abilities

• Desired Education and Experience: Demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities as stated above through at least two years of experience in performing similar tasks in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, medical corps, or medical treatment program.

Benefits

• Comprehensive, affordable insurance and benefits program.
• Diverse selection of benefits including medical (no-cost for the employee plan), dental, life, and supplemental benefit coverages.
• On-site wellness clinic and virtual telehealth program, both at no-cost!
• Additional benefits include participation in the NC Retirement System, a 401(k) match option, generous paid leave and holiday schedule, tuition reimbursement, and more!