Peer Support Specialist

In the role within the Division of General Internal Medicine, you will be working with an interdisciplinary and dynamic team focused on investigating and reducing substance use-related health disparities through improving access to harm reduction services and substance use treatment in both the health system and community-based settings. The scope of the work involves research participants, interaction with local community organizations and health systems, and being part of a broader research study team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and curious peer support specialist to join our team. The preferred candidate would have experience using non-prescribed opioids, alcohol, and/or other drugs.

The peer support specialist will assist with research studies that seek to improve the quality of healthcare policy and healthcare delivery for people who use drugs. As a THRIVE (Teaching Harm Reduction in a Vulnerable Environment) peer recovery specialist, you will be a vital member on multidisciplinary teams which includes biostatisticians, analysts, scientists, as well as grant administrative and project management support. You will work closely with community partners in this role.

Your primary duties will be to interact with patients who are using drugs and being seen in the emergency department in inpatient hospital setting. In your role, you will use motivational interviewing to connect with the patient, offer harm reduction education, offer supplies, and follow up for 12 weeks via telephone after your initial in-person visit.

• Interacting with study participants in-person and via text message using motivational interviewing and following study protocol.
• Conduct in-person screening and enrollment of patients for research studies, including communicating the study protocol, conducting verbal and written informed consent, and scheduling for research activities.
• Clinical database entry and tracking.
• Participate actively and collaboratively in team meetings and project planning sessions.
• Contribute to quality assurance checks and ongoing monitoring.
• Work with multiple team members to coordinate and track study purchases (ex: participant equipment and incentives).

Conducts research assessments and procedures. Recruits, screens, and enrolls eligible participants in studies; escorts participants to research scanning sites. Updates databases for registry assessments and clinical trial forms.

Requires the ability to visualize a computer screen, to work with computer hardware and software, to communicate verbally and in writing, and to use a phone. The candidate must have strong working knowledge of English.

Position is mostly sedentary work.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.