(Remote) Part-time Peer Facilitator - Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry

West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently accepting applications for a (Remote) Part-time Peer Facilitator with Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry

About the Opportunity

WVU Health Sciences Center, Department of Behavioral Medicine, and Psychiatry, is seeking a Peer Facilitator to work on a clinical research study. The role of the Peer Facilitator is to lead weekly or bi-weekly support groups with study participants who are being treated for opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Retention in treatment is one of the most critical problems facing patients in office-based addiction treatment, and strategies to improve retention are urgently needed. Pain is not typically addressed in OUD treatment even though most patients with OUD have chronic pain and undermanaged pain is an important factor in return to use. This study combines a Pain Self-Management behavioral intervention with patient-oriented dosing of buprenorphine to test the hypothesis that treating pain and OUD at the same time will improve pain outcomes and help people stay engaged with addiction treatment.

The Tailored Retention and Engagement for Equitable Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Pain (TREETOP) Research Center is part of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Healthcare and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. TREETOP works on developing effective, equitable, and sustainable interventions for chronic pain and OUD with a focus on health equity.

What you'll do:

The role of the Peer Facilitator is to lead weekly or bi-weekly support groups with study participants who are being treated for opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Group sessions will take place remotely either via Zoom or phone call. The Peer Facilitator will encourage discussion, help members navigate conflict, and offer support from a perspective of successful pain and OUD management. They will also be expected to conduct reminder calls, take notes, and complete light documentation after group sessions. Additionally, Peer Facilitators will attend meetings and training with members of the study team.

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Personal lived experience with opioid use disorder (OUD), chronic pain, and taking buprenorphine (currently or previously)
• No professional experience needed
• Comfortable talking about personal experience with OUD, chronic pain, and buprenorphine treatment
• Successful self-management of chronic pain and OUD
• Comfortable speaking in front of a group
• Access to internet

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic environment is core to WVURC's mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.