Peer Support Assistant

About the Role

The Department of Psychiatry is seeking Peer Support Assistants (PSAs) for the multi-year Chicago Data-driven Opioid Screening, Engagement, Treatment and Prevention (C-DOSETaP) Program. PSAs are crucial for participant recruitment and engagement due to their established community relationships and credibility. Their role enhances awareness, addresses concerns, builds trust, improves recruitment of diverse populations, and supports participant retention.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach, education, and engagement activities to identify and recruit study participants.
• Responsible for recruiting study participants.
• Tracking and maintaining contact with study participants after enrollment.
• Maintaining high rates of retention in research follow-up assessments.
• Participate in and complete clinical research and IRB training.
• Maintain logs and document outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow-up activities.
• Engage in outreach, education, and recruitment at community and social service agencies (e.g., food distribution sites, needle exchange programs, health clinics, emergency departments, health fairs).
• Understand and adhere to confidentiality and privacy protections for individuals with substance use and study participants.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• May attend local or national meetings and conferences to discuss peer outreach and disseminate research results.
• Meet regularly with the study team to track and manage outreach, engagement, recruitment, and follow-up activities, and to address recruitment and data retention issues.
• Attend all scheduled or required meetings with the site Project Director or other study leadership.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: One (1) year (12 months) of “lived” experience in sustained recovery and re-entry in substance abuse (illicit drug or alcohol dependency). This experience may include personal experience as a parent, guardian, or a loved one supported through such a journey.
• Licensure: Possession of a valid and current State of Illinois driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Qualifications

• Ability to conduct outreach, education, and engagement.
• Skills in participant recruitment and retention.
• Understanding of clinical research and IRB training requirements.
• Proficiency in logging and documenting activities.
• Familiarity with community and social service agencies.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and privacy protections.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for team meetings.

Work Schedule & Location

• Location: Chicago, IL USA
• Work Schedule: Flex days, Monday - Friday
• Shift: Flex Days
• FTE: 1
• Number of Positions: 2
• Workplace Type: On-Site
• Salary Range: $23.07 - $25.64 / Hourly Wage (commensurate with experience)
• Residency: Illinois Residency required within 180 days of employment.