Peer Recovery Specialist - Project Bridge Year 2; Term Limited

Peer Recovery Specialist – Project Bridge Year 2 (Term Limited)

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – School of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry | Addiction Research & Treatment Services (ARTS) | Adult Outpatient Program

The Peer Recovery Specialist operates within the ARTS Adult Outpatient Program at Denver, Aurora, and Arvada. This role supports drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial and pharmacological treatment for adults with substance use disorder (SUD). The position engages patients, families, and caregivers to connect them to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. The role performs outreach activities and collaborates with community partners.

• Coordinate assessment and treatment for individuals who first enter care at CU Health Emergency Department.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among CU Health ED, ARTS Potomac Street Center, and STRIDE Community Health Center to ensure smooth transition to outpatient SUD and/or MAT.
• Use lived experience to encourage and support individuals reluctant or hesitant to enter treatment.
• Be responsive to the individualized and differing needs of each patient under care.
• Conduct outreach activities with patients, staff, community partners, subcontracted agencies, and other entities as appropriate.

Onsite – Aurora, CO. The role is expected to work onsite and may travel to various sites including ED, ARTS, STRIDE, community, and other outreach sites. The position is required to work Saturdays and Sundays.

AR staff provides a unique opportunity for individuals with lived experience and recovery from SUDs to use their specialized knowledge and experience to provide care, assistance, and support to individuals currently living with SUD. Employees enjoy an evidence‑based, multi‑faceted approach to provide the best treatment and care at ARTS clinics.

• Medical:
  Multiple plan options
• Dental:
  Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance:
  Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan:
  Employer contributes 10% of gross pay
• Paid Time Off:
  Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22 / year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15 / year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10 / year
• Tuition Benefit:
  Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass:
  Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

The University of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with all applicable laws governing non‑discrimination in employment.

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• One year of experience working closely with patients and connecting them to resources, or related work experience.
• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year‑for‑year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Associate’s degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or related field.
• Prior experience in Patient Navigation and connecting pregnant or postpartum patients to required services or resources.
• Certification as a Peer Specialist (e.g., Colorado Peer and Family Specialist / CPFS).
• Experience with motivational interviewing techniques.
• Experience working with clients involved in the criminal justice system, probation/parole, human services, or other referral sources.
• Experience providing administrative support in a substance abuse treatment setting.
• Experience managing financial paperwork and tracking expenditures.
• Experience working with electronic health records.
• Current, valid registration with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) license or higher.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

• Lived experience with SUD or addictions, and recovery with existing sobriety supports.
• Minimum two years of sobriety with existing sober support from SUD or addictions recovery.
• Successfully complete the CCAR Recovery Coach Academy training within six to twelve months of hire date.
• Obtain the Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS)…