Peer Support Services Specialist

McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics is shaping the future of patient care, disease prevention, and biomedical discovery by transforming data into innovative solutions powered by artificial intelligence, data science, and informatics. We are the only biomedical informatics program with advanced doctoral degrees in Texas and the largest and only free-standing informatics school in the nation.

This position is based in / and surrounding area of the Victoria, TX region.

This position will support the Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research’s Heroes Program in Houston, Texas. UTHealth Houston’s Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research oversees several initiatives to address substance use disorders and behavioral emergencies across Texas. Peer Support Services Specialist will work with a multidisciplinary team to provide assertive outreach, navigation to care, direct peer support, and education surrounding substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery in a clinical research environment.

Position Summary :

Assists with peer recovery support services directly to patients that applies knowledge and skills drawn from lived experience and certification competencies, including assertive outreach, enrollment, mutual support, and additional wrap-around services to eligible patients and ensures quality data maintenance for research and clinical team.

Position Key Accountabilities :

Assists with direct patient-related peer support services for social determinants of health to individuals enrolled in HEROES and other clinical research programs.

Assists with outreach schedule, mutual support groups for peer-education and family support, marketing and organization of all peer-related activities.

Assists with outreach to individuals¿ homes and other places.

Assists with group services to multiple people, both through virtual and in-person.

Follows guidance to ensure peer support team remains aligned with the overall message and purpose of the program.

Follows UTHealth program regulations, guidelines and practices are being followed.

Cooperatively assist with other job duties as assigned to support the provision of quality services to consumers; remain available to team members in crisis situations; and support the clinical / research team where necessary.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification / Skills :

Basic computer skills (email, word processing, excel, etc.).

Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) / (RSPS) by Texas Certification Board (TCB) required

Minimum Education : High school diploma.

Minimum Experience :

One (1) year of experience providing peer recovery support to youths or adults. Certification (as a Peer Support Specialist) at the state and national level required.