"Research Assistant 1"

Overview

This position is for a Recovery and Health Support (RHS) with the Yale Community Health Care Van (CHCV) program. The position will work on multiple initiatives, including a hepatitis C (HCV) testing and rapid treatment program (COMPASS) and the CHCV's overdose prevention and infectious disease transmission prevention program.

Description of duties and responsibilities

Works directly with COMPASS participants, providing mentoring, coaching and assisted navigation as needed for services. Assists HCV Patient Navigators in identifying outreach locations. Provides input on health supportive incentives. Provides feedback on project protocols and social service agencies. Accompanies participants to appointments if requested. Participates in quarterly quality meetings and SAMHSA Learning Collaboratives. May accompany HCV Navigators on outreach and transporting participants to appointments.

Experience advocating for people, especially those with experience with substance use disorder and HCV. Ideally bilingual/bicultural Spanish/English but not necessary. Experience working with people with high health-related social needs including homelessness.

The Recovery and Health Support will assist with other Community Health Care Van projects, including community clean up of syringe litter, naloxone distribution, and vending machine stocking, welcoming clients at the front desk, organizing the Community Advisory Board.

Skills and knowledge required

Completion of recovery coaching program after hire. Ideally, will have knowledge of substance use, recovery, and HCV. Experience providing peer support services such as peer navigators, peer mentors, recovery coaches, or recovery support specialists who have lived experience appropriate to the population being served, including HCV, HIV, SUD, SMI, and/or homelessness.

Amount of travel and any other special conditions or requirements

Travel regularly to area sites as needed for outreach and collaboration with community partners. Travel as needed for Learning Collaboratives and SAMHSA meetings.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proven experience providing peer support services such as peer navigators, peer mentors, recovery coaches, or recovery support specialists who have lived experience appropriate to the population being served, including HCV, HIV, SUD, SMI, and/or homelessness.
2. Ability to maintain a non judgmental approach with participants, creates a helpful and welcoming environment. Experience with people served by Community Health Care Van: people with serious mental illness, homelessness, substance use disorder, people with HIV and / or hepatitis C. Knowledge of local community. Must be willing to work in a mobile or outreach setting in New Haven and surrounding areas.
3. Knowledge of medications for the treatment of HCV and substance use disorders.
4. Organized, reliable, self-motivated team player, with the ability and willingness to be hands-on and solve problems as they arise. Must conduct themselves professionally in team and community partner setting.
5. Knowledge of overdose prevention and infectious disease transmission prevention and treatment.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Proven experience in outreach or recovery and knowledge of substance use treatment.
2. Bilingual (English and Spanish) is highly preferred.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Researches and collects data through site or home visit intakes; library research; structured interviews; or through other means for designated research assignments.
2. Records and compiles information related to research data. Codes data accordingly to research specifications. Uses a computer terminal to input and retrieve data and to generate reports.
3. Processes and summarizes data using scientific or statistical techniques. Assists in data interpretation and analyses. Reports on status of research activities.
4. Recruits study participants and ensures that subject recruitment and follow-up are completed per protocol procedures.
5. Orders and maintains inventory of supplies. May assist in designing, developing, and modifying research experiments, procedures, or survey instruments. May assist research and support staff.
6. Performs additional functions incidental to research activities.