Job Description

Posting number: 02036

Department: Fire Department

Division: Opioid Department

Job classification: Opioid Response Specialist

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community and Social Services

Summary

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Examples of duties

ATTACHMENTS

Please attach a resume if available. A resume does not replace a completed application. All sections of the application must be completed in full.

Please attach Verification of Active Certified Peer Support Certification through the State of South Carolina

JOB SUMMARY

This position will play a vital part of a multi-faceted response team created to battle the Opioid epidemic within the Myrtle Beach community through preventative outreach initiatives as well as emergency response to surviving overdose cases, and/or individuals with Opioid Use Disorder in crisis, to provide empathetic and therapeutic support through community engagement of resources to encourage and facilitate recovery. The goal of this position is to provide support to those suffering from substance use disorder who may have experienced an overdose or another related crisis event.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• In working with Myrtle Beach Fire and Police Departments, this position will either respond to the scene of an overdose in a support capacity and/or follow up with an individual after an overdose.
• Utilizing the Warm Hand-Off strategy, schedule subsequent points of contact on set intervals with individual in the program. During each point of contact, the Opioid Response Specialist will build rapport with the individual, as well as anyone else present who might have been negatively impacted.
• Utilizing informational guidance, the Opioid Response Specialist will assist individuals on how to navigate through the care system and various services available, they will attempt to encourage the individual towards recovery and/or any harm reduction services in a preventative attempt to avert any future crisis events.
• Provide advocacy when needed to assist individuals with finding resources.
• Provide follow-up on assigned clients to ensure contacts were made with appropriate referrals.
• Provide informational guidance of the harm reduction services available in an attempt to avert any future crisis events.
• For those ready for recovery, provide an explanation of services (including the option of MAT/MOUD) allowing the individual to choose the recovery service and/or related support resources that is best for them.
• Connect with any loved ones who were negatively impacted by an overdose to provide ways to manage self-care, to embolden an individual suffering from substance use disorder towards recovery, and/or potential counseling services for themselves.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Maintain accurate and complete records as well as provide confidentiality of all private, confidential and sensitive information.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs other related duties as assigned, requested and required.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Requires a high school diploma or GED

Requires a Minimum of Two-year’s experience providing services to individuals with substance use disorders.

Experience with basic office equipment and computer programs (Microsoft Office, etc.)

Licenses or Certifications:

Must hold an Active Certified Peer Support Specialist Certification through the State of South Carolina.

Must possess a valid Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current substance use disorder treatment models.
• Knowledge of various local recovery, harm reduction, and social service agencies.
• Knowledge of drug and alcohol addiction laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, local ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs and applications.
• Skill in collaboration with local agencies to coordinate linkage of care and recovery services based on the needs and/or wants of the individual in crisis,
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the individuals by building rapport to gain their trust and respect despite their willingness to pursue recovery.
• Skill in understanding that various interactions with individuals and situations may call for different and distinct skills.
• Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and prepare reports, forms, correspondence, or other documents.
• Ability to work independently, work well with others, and manage time effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary to light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity. Tasks may require the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

May be required to be exposed to patients with SUD, co-occurring mental health disorders, communicable disease, or rude/irate individuals. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors where performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Work is performed part of the time in an environment where errors on this job can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for self or others. The work environment is usually fast-paced and can be stressful. May be required to deal with individuals who are experiencing, or have recently experienced, a crisis. May be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform duties.

The City of Myrtle Beach has the right to revise this job description at any time. This

description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.