About the role#
The Peer Recovery Coach Intern supports individuals in active substance use or early recovery. This position operates under a low-threshold framework, meeting participants where they are without requiring abstinence. A primary objective of this internship is to complete the 500 hours of supervised work experience and attend mandatory clinical and administrative supervision required for official state peer certification.
What you'll do#
- Conduct mobile and foot-based outreach in community hot-spots, public spaces, and encampments.
- Build rapport with vulnerable individuals using a non-judgmental approach.
- Distribute harm reduction supplies, including naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and safer-use kits.
- Guide participants through healthcare and social service systems to access Medication-Assisted Treatment, detox, inpatient care, and housing resources.
- Assist participants in obtaining identification, insurance, and food assistance.
- Provide support at emergency shelters during Code Red and Code Blue weather activations, including crisis de-escalation and safety monitoring.
- Maintain documentation of all service hours for state certification board submission.
What you'll need#
- Personal, self-identified lived experience with substance use and a sustained period of stable recovery (1-2 years preferred).
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
- Completion of foundational Peer Recovery Coach training hours or a willingness to complete them immediately upon hire.
- Strong communication, conflict de-escalation, and boundary-setting skills.
- Knowledge of harm reduction philosophy.
- Ability to walk for extended periods during outdoor outreach and work in varying weather conditions.
Location & details#
- Location: Toms River, New Jersey.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Rolling.
- This is a full-time, unpaid internship.
How to get in at Bright Harbor Healthcare
Intern Insider's per-company playbook.
Securing an internship at Bright Harbor Healthcare requires staying ahead of the applicant pool. Because early applicants are often reviewed before the volume of resumes becomes unmanageable, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere. This allows you to submit your materials among the first candidates.
Beyond timing, finding the right contact can change your experience. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral. Connecting with the right person at Bright Harbor Healthcare materially improves your response rates compared to standard submissions.
