Job Information
Johns Hopkins University Peer Recovery & Research Assistant in Frederick, Maryland
Join our team of people committed to improving the health of people who use drugs. We are seeking an enthusiastic self-starter to work within Frederick County Health Department’s Street Safe Program (SSP). We are seeking a Peer Recovery & Research Assistant who will provide harm reduction services to people who use drugs and coordinate the day-to-day clinical, research, and administrative responsibilities of a social network-based innovation aimed at extending the reach of other evidence-based services, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), HCV, and HIV treatment. This position will be hired and funded by Johns Hopkins University but will function as a part of the existing SSP team with additional duties to support a research project taking place at the SSP.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Providing harm reduction services to people who use drugs.
Work closely with the Street Safe Program (SSP) team.
Distribute sterile syringes, other drug use equipment, drug checking supplies and collect used syringes in safe disposal containers from SSP participants.
Provide education on infectious disease, safe injection practices, overdose prevention, drug checking, safe sex practices, and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to SSP participants.
Conduct rapid HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) testing.
Provide referrals and linkages to community supports for people who use drugs.
Assist the SSP Peer with any ACCESS telehealth patient needs, including transportation, computer connectivity, appointment reminders, or related support.
Work towards the full integration of HIV care provided through telemedicine into the routine SSP workflow.
Order and maintain inventory of HIV self-test kits and other Johns Hopkins funded supplies.
Conduct outreach to people who use drugs with the SSP team.
Participate in supervisions, meetings, and trainings with the SSP staff.
Coordinating the day-to-day clinical, research, and administrative responsibilities of a social network-based innovation.
Act as Site Coordinator for the SPRUCE (SSP and Peers in Rural areas Connecting) Study with support from a study team based at Johns Hopkins University.
Identify and work with community stakeholders to promote available services and programs at the SSP.
Schedule and coordinate meetings with stakeholders in service of the research protocol.
Schedule and coordinate Community Advisory Board (CAB) meetings, in-person and via Zoom.
Assist with SPRUCE study participant and CAB petty cash or gift card compensation.
Distribute HIV self-test kits to SPRUCE study participants.
Provide information about research opportunities and schedule appointments with potential new SPRUCE study participants.
Share directions, maps, and other SSP-specific information with new SPRUCE study participants.
Secure space for training sessions for SPRUCE study participants and 6-month refresher courses.
Train SPRUCE study participants on an intervention to increase uptake of HIV/HCV or opioid use treatment and overdose prevention.
Execute study needs in accordance with the IRB-approved research protocol.
Assist provider with updating and gathering information to submit programmatic progress reports.
Assist with data management needs, such as data entry and updating research charts and participant appointment calendars in the REDCap secure online study database.
Keep up to date on all required regulatory certifications, including CITI and GCP certifications.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
Two years related experience.
Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Applicants must possess or obtain certification within two years of employment. Trainings, volunteer/employment hours and supervisions required for certification provided through employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with people who use drugs.
Peer Recovery Specialist Certification.
Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point), Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat).
Documented recovery from mental health, substance use or a co-occurring disorder for a minimum of two years.
Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Motivated, exceptional work ethic.
Understanding of principles of Harm Reduction.
Lived experience with HIV, HCV and/or MOUD.
Commitment to a positive, collaborative work environment.
Classified Title: Research Program Assistant II
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Peer Recovery & Research Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC
Starting Salary Range: Min $15.50 - Max $26.00 HRLY ($50,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: School of Medicine - East Baltimore Campus
Department name: 10002813-SOM DOM Infectious Disease
Personnel area: School of Medicine
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. The university promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.