Job Description

Are you looking for a meaningful career?  Are you passionate about health equity?  Do you enjoy helping people?

Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center is one of the largest community health centers in Massachusetts serving Worcester, Framingham, Milford, and the surrounding communities.  We are a thriving and growing organization, and our team is expanding across sites to support this growth.

We are currently hiring a Recovery Coach based in Worcester. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the Recovery Coach helps to provide non-clinical services to individuals establishing and maintaining recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) within the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center’s Medication-Assisted Treatment Program (MAT) Program. The MAT Recovery Coach will establish relationships with patients based on respect and empowerment, advocacy, role-modeling, providing peer support, personal assistance, and education on community resources.

As an employer of choice, our inclusive workplace environment fosters teamwork, accountability and respect and supports the growth and development of each employee.  We are an equal opportunity employer and embrace the richness of the diversity of our staff and community.  You are a good fit for our team if you are passionate about helping people live healthier lives and enjoy working in a supportive, team-based environment.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborates with a multidisciplinary care team (PCPs, behavioral health clinicians, nurses) to develop patient-centered treatment plans.
• Provides peer support through coaching, mentorship, advocacy, and role modeling to help patients achieve recovery goals.
• Available during clinic hours for urgent patient support and connects patients with local and clinical resources outside of business hours.
• Partners with the OBAT RN to create individualized wellness plans for patients.
• Conducts patient outreach and encourages retention via clinic visits, community outreach, and phone contact.
• Onsite 80% of the time for warm handoffs; remote 20% of the time.
• Documents non-clinical care and grant-required data in the EHR per protocols.
• Works with the OBAT Community Health Worker to address patient needs (housing, transportation, recovery support).
• Reviews patient progress regularly with the recovery coach supervisor to develop effective strategies.
• Acts as a liaison between patients and the care team, reporting clinical concerns to the OBAT team.
• Facilitates recovery and educational support groups for SUD patients.
• Demonstrates or learns motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and coping techniques.
• Understands varying levels of SUD patient needs.
• Provides education and referrals on substance use, harm reduction, mental health, HIV, Hepatitis C, tobacco use, nutrition, and wellness.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Completion of CCAR Recovery Coach Academy course (prior to or within 4 months of hire).
• Basic knowledge of substance use disorders and treatment options.
• Understanding of recovery pathways and patient-centered Recovery Coaching.
• At least one year of uninterrupted recovery.
• Strong problem-solving, time management, and task organization skills.
• Our health center requires all employees to have the most recent COVID-19 booster and the yearly flu vaccine.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on related experience
• Medical insurance starts on first day of employment. 
  • Health center pays 80% of medical insurance premiums.
  • Includes coverage for same-sex domestic partners and gender affirming care.
• Generous time off packages
• Dental and Vision insurance
• 403b Retirement Plan with employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

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