Community Health Technician / Peer Support Specialist

Johnston County Public Health Department is seeking to fill a full-time Community Health Technician / Peer Support Specialist position.  Provides and coordinates services and support to people who are impacted by substance abuse and friends/family who experience and/or witness overdose. This position assists in implementing/creating a recovery environment and acts as an advocate for the needs and rights of the client. This position will assist Community Paramedics, Case Managers, Substance Use Disorder Counselors, Health Educators and Mental Health staff with getting the client connected to community resources to ensure continuity of care for their identified needs.  Must be flexible with working hours, which may include nights and weekends.  An employee in this role assists in the prevention of overdose fatalities and reducing the spread of related infectious diseases. Work includes participating in community educational programs, providing individuals and families with training and resources, collaborating with other human services professionals, and maintaining confidential records per HIPAA and federal laws related to substance use disorders. Work is characterized by empowering individuals through connection, education, and linkage to a variety of healthcare options, treatment options, harm reduction strategies, and social resources. Work requires promoting a culture in which each individual’s point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected and integrated into treatment, recovery, and community self-help activities. Sound professional judgment and initiative are required in the performance of duties.

Duties and 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.   Responsible for assisting 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.   Coordinates direct services with program members to community resources.  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.  Performs regular outreach to individuals within Johnston County affected by substance use disorder and other at-risk behaviors to connect them to appropriate community resources. Maintains and distributes naloxone kits to populations in need.   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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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. 

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. 

Additional Information: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. This position may close at any time.

*Please document all work history relevant to the position for which you are applying. Qualification for the position and salary determination are based on years of experience. Failure to document your complete work history may affect the qualification determination and salary. Electronic applications cannot be amended once submitted.

PLEASE NOTE: Final candidates subject to background check (includes criminal and motor vehicle records).

To apply for this position, visit the website at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/johnston   

About Johnston County Public Health Department

The Johnston County Health Department is one of 85 Health Departments in North Carolina. Our primary focus is promoting healthy behaviors and prevention of disease. But we cannot achieve these goals without your help. The Health Department serves as the "physician for the community." As your physician, we monitor the "pulse" of the community through surveillance of disease rates, inspections and statistics. We also check the "pressure" of the community by monitoring the growth of our county and the demand for health related services. Our community can only be in good health if the “pulse” and “pressure” of the community are within the healthy range. How can you help? Maintain your health at its highest level. Stay active and encourage your family and community to be active. Engage your community in health-related activities. We all benefit from the work of Public Health – clean water, safe food, vaccines, and communicable disease control. Let us continue to focus on promoting health and prevention and work towards improving the overall health index of our county.

Connections working at Johnston County Public Health Department