Certified Peer Recovery Specialist-Fairfax County

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist 

GMU-MAP-EC (Fairfax Addiction Medicine Clinic) 

Position Type: Part-time, 29 hours per week

Number of Openings: 2

Pay Rate: $28.00 per hour

Location: Fairfax County, Virginia (Primary work at Fairfax Addiction Medicine Clinic with outreach throughout the county, including the Adult Detention Center and community settings)

Work Schedule: Up to 29 hours per week; schedule may include weekdays, evenings, and alternating weekends based on program needs

This position is employed through George Mason University’s MAP-EC program and will operate as a subcontracted role supporting the Fairfax Addiction Medicine Clinic. The Peer Recovery Specialists will be integrated into clinic operations while receiving ongoing support, supervision, and professional development from the GMU Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) team.

We are seeking two Peer Recovery Specialists to support individuals receiving services through the Fairfax Addiction Medicine Clinic. This position provides outreach, engagement, recovery support, and care coordination for people affected by opioid use, alcohol use, and other substance use disorders.

The Peer Recovery Specialist will work closely with clinic staff, the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, Emergency Services, Emergency Medical Services, and community partners. The role requires strong relationship-building skills, knowledge of recovery services, and the ability to support individuals who face barriers to treatment.

Primary Responsibilities 
Conduct outreach to individuals referred by the Addiction Medicine Clinic, Adult Detention Center, Emergency Services, EMS, and other approved referral sources.
Engage individuals in treatment, recovery support, and community-based services.
Follow up with individuals who miss appointments, do not complete intake, or need additional support to remain connected to care.

Provide onsite support to individuals receiving treatment at the Fairfax Addiction Medicine Clinic.
Provide intensive support for individuals transitioning from the Adult Detention Center to the Addiction Medicine Clinic intake process.
Coordinate services for newly released individuals and people at high risk for overdose or treatment disruption.

Assist with referrals to substance use treatment, behavioral health care, housing, transportation, benefits, food assistance, employment services, and other community resources.
Provide intensive outreach and care coordination for Emergency Services and EMS referrals.
Educate and support individuals regarding medications for opioid use disorder and medications for alcohol use disorder.

Support overdose prevention, harm reduction, naloxone access, and recovery planning.
Participate in care coordination meetings, case consultation, release planning, and regular Peer Recovery Specialist supervision, including supervision provided by the GMU PRS team.
Document outreach, referrals, contacts, service connections, barriers, and outcomes in approved systems.

Preferred Qualifications 
Current Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist certification or eligibility to obtain certification.
Personal lived experience with substance use recovery, behavioral health recovery, or another relevant recovery pathway.

Knowledge of medications for opioid use disorder and medications for alcohol use disorder.
Experience working with individuals involved with the justice system, emergency services, substance use treatment, or community-based recovery programs.

Strong communication, relationship-building, documentation, and organizational skills.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and protect confidential information.
Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

The Fairfax Addiction Medicine Clinic will provide onboarding related to clinic procedures, Adult Detention Center referrals, intake workflows, and Fairfax County resources. Additional training, supervision, and support will be provided through the GMU MAP-EC program and PRS team.
Work equipment, including a computer and mobile phone, will be provided for approved job-related duties.