Peer Support Specialist

TITLE: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Peer Support Specialist provides a variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals who have self-identified as desiring peer supports, in order to promote greater independence, community integration and recovery from mental illness as an expanded function of the program. Services provided by peers (mental health consumers) include a wide range of supports, services, and advocacy that contribute to a client’s ability to engage in ongoing treatment. Assist in the development of peer-led drop in program to expand the program and a potential after-care group.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with peers to identify wellness and recovery goals. Assist peers in creating Wellness plan that identifies the individual’s self-determined goals, as well as specific objectives to carry out these goals.
• Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Share their own recovery story as appropriate, and walks the road of recovery alongside the service recipient.
• Work with peers on specific objectives identified on the Wellness plan, ensuring that these specific objectives always refer back to the individual’s ISSP for billing purposes.
• Attend and positively participate in required team, agency, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress
• Ensure timely completion of all required paperwork.
• Work to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency regarding Person Centered and Peer Delivered Services.
• Document all peer contact at time of service.
• Educate and advocate for the values and principles of the Recovery Model.
• Work with Team Lead to develop and support new programming.
• Receive regular weekly supervision from the Team Lead, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary. Minimum requirement two hours of documented supervision per month.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and group supervision as required.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Provide back up to Unit Supervisor and staff, as requested.
• Assist with purchasing of general and food related supplies when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge and skills in counseling techniques with individuals and groups.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
• Ability to work as a team member and to establish priorities.
• Ability to apply principles learned to new situations.
• Ability to learn new skills.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.
• Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions and to apply techniques for specific needs.
• Knowledge and skills in mental health treatment methods and crisis intervention.
• Knowledge and skills in chemical dependency treatment methods and crisis intervention.
• Sufficient manual dexterity and physical ability to perform assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in an environment where people may be hostile or abusive.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work courteously and effectively communicate with the general public, clients, medical personnel, corrections personnel, police, and co-workers.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods

SUPERVISED BY:

Nurse on-duty/ Unit Supervisor

WORKERS SUPERVISED:

None

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; or a self-identified person in recovery from a substance use disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovery staff in alcohol and other drug treatment programs; or a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services. Person must identify on the application or cover letter how they have “lived” personal experience leading to an understanding of the needs of persons with mental health & substance abuse issues.
• QMHA (Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences field or a combination of at least three year’s work, education, training or experience in chemical dependency or mental health treatment) preferred.
• Must be certified by approved training as Peer Specialist at time of hire or within first 6 months.
• Must be able to provide peer delivered services as described in Medicaid guidelines.
• If a recovering from a substance-use disorder, providing treatment services, or peer support service, in alcohol and other treatment programs, must be able to document continuous abstinence under independent living conditions, or recovery housing for the immediate past two years.
• If using personal vehicle for agency use, must possess a current drivers’ license, pass a DMV background check and be designated an “acceptable” driver as outlined in EBHS driving policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test and background check.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Must adhere to agency’s policies, including but not limited to, non-discrimination, safety, drug and alcohol-free workplace, violence prevention and harassment-free workplace.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, life-styles, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.