Job Description
Position Summary
Peer Support Specialist is responsible for providing peer to peer support services including: monitoring, informing, supporting, assisting and empowering clients and their family members/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services; developing and coordinating activities, programs and resources which directly support clients and family members/caregivers in achieving wellness and recovery oriented goals; facilitating peer to peer assistance as a part of a team setting; conducting outreach to clients, family members/caregivers and the community; and acting in a liaison role between clients, family members/caregivers and community service providers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provides peer support and self-help services to behavioral health clients and their family members/caregivers in individual or group settings on site in county programs as well as in the community.
- Under direction of clinical/supervisory staff, assists in coordinating clinical services, provides linkage to other services and resources, monitors, supports, assists and empowers clients and family members/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.
- Assists the Department in gathering client and family member/caregiver perspectives and ensuring it is considered in policy and program development.
- Assists in the development and coordination of activities, programs and resources which support clients and family members/ caregivers in achieving wellness and recovery goals such as self-help and peer-led groups.
- Provides skill training to clients and family members/caregivers on tasks related to recovery focused independent living such as self-empowerment, self-responsibility, public transportation, housing applications, interviews, shopping, etc. Serves as a role model for recovery
- Assists and advocates for clients and family members/caregivers as they navigate through the system of care including: assisting with referral follow through; transition to different levels of care; providing information on support resources; facilitating and encouraging family member/caregiver involvement as appropriate.
- Prepares and supports clients and family members/caregivers in a variety of client and family centered activities such as case consultation/staff meetings, hearings, interviews, completion of satisfaction surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder input opportunities.
- Documents activities in accordance with Department and program requirements.
- Support client’s vocational choices and assists them in stress management and other symptoms related to all facets of employment.
- Works as part of the treatment team including: participating in meetings; encouraging and supporting clients and family members/caregivers in understanding, adhering to, and progressing in the treatment plan; evaluating their responses; outreaching; and empowering them to communicate openly and directly with treatment providers.
- Greets and welcomes clients and family members/caregivers upon arrival to programs/offices.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, preferred
- Maintain State Certification / Licensure or be in the process of obtaining Certification / License
- Registered substance abuse certification
- Knowledge of Basic Recovery and wellness concepts and behavioral health services; public and private agency services and resources available for clients and family members/caregivers, such as schools, social services, and community resources;
- Knowledge of Barriers to wellness and recovery, obstacles related to accessing services and strategies to navigate and overcome barriers and obstacles;
- Knowledge of Office procedures and practices to include computer usage;
- Knowledge of Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation;
- Knowledge of Basic Record keeping practices.
- Ability to Operate a computer in the completion of assignments;
- Ability to Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
- Ability to Effectively educate and assist client family members/caregivers within the behavioral health system and community;
- Ability to Communicate effectively orally and in writing with people of various educational, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds;
- Ability to Work effectively in stressful, emotional and confrontational situations and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
- Ability to Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels as well as other agencies and the public;
- Ability to Maintain confidentiality of all information;
- Ability to Display and maintain a high degree of maturity, integrity and good judgment
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