HBCD Peer Navigator

The Peer Navigator (PN) is an active member of a multi-disciplinary team that provides peer support services to research participants who are enrolled at the Virginia Tech site in the NIH funded HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. The PN will provide support through individualized, ongoing guidance, support in completing study participation, and referrals to care, services, and resources in the community such as parenting support, child nutritional services, medical and therapeutic care, and services to support recovery from substance use disorders.

The PN will be trained on relevant research protocols and expected to support the research team in recruitment and retention of participants, the informed consent process, and data collection activities as needed.

Specific Duties Include:
1. Assist the recruitment and retention coordinator with study recruitment by engaging community health workers, social workers, and others to promote study participation and retention.
2. Be an advocate for HBCD participants and their participation in HBCD by providing support in relationship building between HBCD research assistants and participants.
3. Help identify and help connect participants to community resources and assist participants in navigating the use of those resources, specifically ensuring a warm ‘hand-off’ to the service agency or provider.
4. Assist in developing formal and informal community support according to needs expressed by participants to complete study participation. Support the needs of research participants that will increase study retention and completion of data collection appointments.
5. Act as a member of the research team, including completing the informed consent process for research participants. The PN will be trained on study procedures as needed and may assist with data collection (questionnaires and behavioral observation) if needed.
6. Attend staff meetings and other appropriate study team meetings as deemed necessary.
7. Observe and honor participant confidentiality relating to personally identifying information, on the study team and during interactions with external agencies and/or individuals.
8. Use compassionate and effective communication with all research participants in regard to scheduling for data collection appointments, coordinating services, or other related tasks.
9. Nights and weekends are required.

- Certification as Peer Recovery Specialist.
- Lived experience or demonstrated professional experience working with families by providing access to resources, helping plan and navigate family needs and/or case management of specialized communities such as individuals with substance use disorders, family members with developmental disabilities, families experiencing adversity, and/or other special needs of families.
- Specialization working and interacting with individuals in recovery from substance use disorders or substance use during pregnancy.
- Robust understanding of needs of families with substance use disorders and/or other high-risk factors that need specialized support.
- Must have valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to meet staff and participants in person when necessary.

3

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Restricted

Commensurate

30

03/21/2025

Nights and weekends are required.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.