Creating Career Pathways in the Recovery Peer Provider Field for Public Health Professionals

Abstract

This article describes how to create career pathways in the Recovery Peer Provider field for Public Health Professionals. It discusses the training and certification for peer providers who give critical support for persons with substance use disorder. Health Education Specialists and other public health professionals will benefit from understanding the peer provider role, impact and training. They can be educated in and advocate for peer provider professionals as part of a team of health care professionals. Training programs can vary in length of hours and practice so it is important to find out what is provided for this preparation. The authors of this article are higher education faculty and administrators who have a decade of experience developing, implementing and promoting a successful certified recovery peer advocate training program at a community college. The program has trained hundreds of students to work as peer providers. It includes a college-level public health education course in addictions and dependencies and pathways to continued educational pursuits which has become a model for other institutions. This article also offers insights in peer provider educational and research opportunities for professional development and health promotion.