Peer Recovery Specialist InternThe George Mason University School of Nursing has received a grant from the Northern Virginia Health Foundation to support the Mason and Partners Clinic. This grant will be used to expand integrated care services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) through the Mason and Partners Clinic, including workforce development for Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS) in northern Virginia.George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.About the Program:The Mason Mobile Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program was established to promote, coordinate, and support opioid addiction treatment in an outpatient setting. Our Program adopted evidence-based treatment recommendations for OUDs and/or other substance use disorders (SUDs) set forth by the following federal agencies: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promote the best patient outcomes possible in alignment with the clinics' mission, vision, and values. The Mason Mobile MAT Program practices are based on lessons learned over the past decade of addiction research. Our philosophy is that addiction is a chronic disease process which negatively affects a person's ability to function within their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual capacities. Therefore, we are steadfast in our commitment to the communities who are presently affected by the opioid crisis. Our program's philosophy is less reliant on rule-based protocols and more on an interdisciplinary team-based approach to make important and difficult clinical treatment decisions. Because of the chronicity and complexity of OUDs, the Mason Mobile MAT Program's overall goal of medication assisted treatment is improved quality of life and freedom from illicit substances.About the Position:The Peer Recovery Specialist Intern is an integral member of the Mason Mobile MAT Team. This role provides non-clinical, person-centered support that is strength-based, wellness-focused, and trauma-informed. The Peer Specialist helps patients build and maintain a pathway to recovery. The role is especially powerful in early recovery where the peer specialist can engage the patient in dialogue, help them navigate resources and options, and encourage treatment. Peer Specialists also provide support during recovery to improve treatment retention.Responsibilities:The Peer Recovery Specialist Intern develops a one-on-one relationship with program participants who are early in their recovery journey. The Peer Specialist encourages, motivates, and supports. Essential job duties of the Peer Recovery Specialist on the MAT team entail helping in five key areas:Apply disease management in daily life (e.g., taking prescribed Suboxone, attending medical appointments);Emotional and social support (e.g., encouragement in using skills, dealing with stress);Linkage to clinical care team (e.g., liaison to clinical care; team meetings; presence in clinic);Attend regular staff meetings, trainings, and internship-related meetings; andDocument all services in the electronic health record or other database(s) within 24 hours of service.Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:Peer Support skills:Ability to use your own lived experience with addiction and justice-involvement, to help others access care and reintegrate after incarceration;Ability to maintain professional boundaries;Comfortable using your own recovery journey to help others connect to services;Ability to maintain confidentiality;Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills;Ability to build rapport and listen actively; andAbility to role model recovery.Technical skills:Ability to type and enter data;Ability to use Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Zoom;Ability to enter notes timely into an electronic health record; andAbility to manage one's own time to complete tasks.Required Qualifications:Lived experience of and in stable recovery from a substance use disorder, with at least one year of sobriety;Ability to serve as a role model for recovery, wellness, and self-advocacy;Disclosure of recovery experiences;Completion of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) 72-hour peer recovery specialist curriculum;Reliable transportation to meet participants and partners within the local Health District (internship site specific); andAbility to meet security criteria at the internship site (e.g., Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail).Preferred Qualifications:Lived experience of the carceral and legal systems;Bi-lingual (Spanish) speaking;Experience in wraparound intervention as a peer specialist; andCollaboration on an integrated team with behavioral health, medical, or justice system partners.Our Team Values:Empower Others. Inspire others to solve the issues they face and grow through opportunities and challenges.Continuous Improvement. Constantly look for ways to be better as individuals and through work. Accept setbacks when we try new methods.Be Transparent. Open and clear communication in everything we do.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application. Please upload a (1) cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) a list of three professional references with contact information. Also, please include (4) a diversity statement summarizing the extent to which you have worked with any individuals from marginalized groups and how you helped them identify and overcome barriers to success.

"Great Careers Begin at Mason! George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.