Advertising Summary: Make a direct, life-changing impact at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) by joining our team as a Peer Recovery Specialist. In this uniquely rewarding role, you will leverage your own lived experience to mentor, advocate for, and inspire individuals through every stage of their recovery journey - from initial engagement to long-term community reintegration. Beyond traditional peer support and recovery planning, you’ll be at the forefront of innovative care by training and guiding clients through cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) therapy. If you are a Virginia-certified peer specialist with at least one year of experience and a passion for empowering others to build the life they want, apply today to become a beacon of hope and support in the Richmond recovery community!

Unit: VP Research MBU

Department: Inst for Drug Alcohol Stud

Department Summary: At the VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, our mission is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.

We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and secure patents and licensing agreements.

Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research community at VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

About the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS)

The Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) at Virginia Commonwealth University is a premier hub for scientific discovery, dedicated to advancing multidisciplinary research and training on the neuroscience of addictions and related neurobehavioral disorders. Located in the heart of Richmond, IDAS bridges the gap between the laboratory and clinical practice, utilizing cutting-edge brain-imaging technology and collaborative clinical studies to understand how addiction impacts the brain and to develop life-changing treatments. As a vital part of a nationally renowned public research institution, we foster an "UNcommon" environment where distinct perspectives drive innovation in public health. We invite dedicated professionals to join our team in addressing one of society’s most pressing challenges through rigorous science, compassionate education, and a commitment to community well-being.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Peer Recovery Specialist’s role is to be a reliable and supportive daily presence in a substance use disorder (SUD) clinic to support others in recovery from SUD. The Peer Recovery Specialist will serve as a readily-available role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to clients/peers in treatment of SUD, with the goal of helping prevent relapse and promoting long-term recovery. The Peer Recovery Specialist must demonstrate an ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships.

Below are essential functions of the job:

• Utilize lived experiences to provide recovery education to support recipients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
• Conduct or assist in the delivery of group-based addiction recovery therapy sessions.
• Engage in technical training on virtual reality (VR) headset/handset equipment with therapy content. Once trained, provide and train persons in recovery in on use of VR equipment and virtual environment.
• Provide counseling and interaction with clients/peers who choose to engage in virtual reality therapy about their virtual reality therapy experience.
• Provide a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.  Present to staff on recovery experiences and pathways.
• Assist clients/peers in identifying their personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses  regarding recovery to help recovering persons develop their own plan for advancing their recovery; for “Getting the life they want.”  Support individuals in advocating for their needs from professionals.
  Recovery Planning -- facilitate (via personal coaching) the transition from a professionally  directed service plan to a self-directed Recovery Plan. The goal should be to transition from professionally assisted recovery initiation to personally directed, community supported recovery maintenance.  Participate with clinical team in treatment planning.
• Promote self-advocacy by assisting clients/peers to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals and objectives established as the focal point of rehabilitation and clinical services.
• Maintain recovery program project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and database(s).
• Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery,  educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self- help groups, professional services, etc.) that support the client’s/peer’s goals and interests. This will involve a collaborative effort including the recovering person, agency staff and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support connections to community based, mutual aid groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
• Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.
• As the peer recovery specialist position evolves and knowledge increases, visit community resources with recovering persons to assist them in becoming familiar with potential opportunities. Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.
• Maintain contact by phone and/or e-mail with clients/peers after they leave the program to ensure their ongoing success and to provide re-engagement support in partnership with others in the agency if needed. Long-term engagement, support, and encouragement.
• Other duties as directed by Division Chief, Medical Director, and/or Management Staff. 

Qualifications:

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in the State of Virginia through the Virginia Certification Board
• Minimum 1 year working as a Peer Recovery Specialist
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Substance use counseling certificate, Associates degree in human services, or Bachelors in Social Work, Psychology or a related field.
• Preferred 3 or more years as a Peer Recovery Specialist
• Training in Motivational Interviewing preferred
• Previous experience working with researchers or clinicians
• Knowledge and understanding of multiple paths to recovery including 12 Step, SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma
• Experience working with clients using medications for opioid use disorder preferred.  Experience with recovery resources in the Richmond area
• Familiarity with local recovery housing options, higher levels of sud care, and recovery community organizations
• Familiarity with digital image-based technologies like immersive video games or virtual reality devices.

Salary Range: $50,000-$65,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 21231Y - Health Educator HS 1

Contact Information:
Contact Name: James Bjork
Contact Email: james.bjork@vcuhealth.org