Peer Recovery Specialist (IL)

Join our team at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL to make a direct impact on patient care and operations. This role supports patients in active withdrawal from a substance use disorder who want to participate in detox by providing resources, discharge planning, and other assistance.

About the Role

Memorial Hospital Belleville is an acute care hospital offering medical and surgical services, critical and emergency care, pediatric emergency services, diagnostic and treatment services, heart and vascular care, and stroke and lung cancer screening. It is a Magnet®-recognized organization for nursing excellence and includes Memorial Hospital Shiloh, a 94-bed facility with emergency care, labor & delivery, and critical care services.

This position is part of a two-year grant funded by SAMHSA and administered through the State of Illinois. The Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) will engage with individuals identified with Opioid Use Disorders or other Substance Use Disorders in both inpatient and outpatient departments, utilizing Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to decrease mortality rates and increase linkage to treatment.

Responsibilities

• Provide SBIRT to patients identified with Opioid Use Disorders and Substance Use Disorders throughout the hospital.
• Build therapeutic alliances with patients using motivational interviewing techniques and collaborate with medical staff, patients, and families.
• Serve as a role model for individuals seeking recovery and help them identify options and participate in decisions related to recovery goals.
• Develop individualized treatment plans using a harm reduction model, including induction of buprenorphine, ensuring its availability until patients are linked to a MAT provider, and providing naloxone upon discharge.
• Link patients to treatment and ensure a smooth transition to the next level of care, including follow-up to confirm attendance at initial appointments.
• Contact patients post-discharge to provide support, address barriers to treatment, and facilitate linkage to community organizations.
• Serve as an active member of the treatment team, document service provision in medical records, and provide addiction education to medical staff.
• Build relationships with medical providers and community organizations to improve patient outcomes.
• Participate in data reporting to the State of Illinois.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2-5 years of experience (preferred).
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Illinois Certified Peer Recovery Specialist certification.

Schedule

• Full Time - 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
• Day Shift: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
• Telephonic on-call support required on rotation (weekends and nights).
• Possibility for 10-hour shifts in the future.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance available on the first day of the month after hire.
• Disability insurance paid for by BJC.
• Annual 4% BJC Automatic Retirement Contribution.
• 401(k) plan with BJC match.
• Tuition assistance available from the first day.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid Time Off combining vacation, sick days, holidays, and personal time.
• Adoption assistance.

Location: Memorial Hospital (Belleville, IL) – Inpatient and Emergency Department.