Peer Support Specialist; Adult Community Based

Job Description

Job Summary:

Responsibilities of Peer Specialist are to emphasize the acquisition, development, and expansion of recovery skills needed to move fully engage in recovery. Interventions are built on the unique therapeutic relationship between the Peer Specialist, the individual served, and his or her family unit.

• Assist participants in developing treatment plans.

• Complete regular communication with referral sources/guardians regarding progress, transition planning, and pertinent clinical issues and documentation.

• Participate in staffing to assure continuity of care.

• Make or assist in outside referral of issues not able to be addressed within the treatment milieu.

• Assist in scheduling of treatment and arranging transportation.

• Represent the agency in a professional manner.

• May assist in the referral for medical issues of clients.

• Document all services provided in accordance with appropriate state/CARF standards.

• Provide crisis intervention as necessary.

• Facilitate group education as scheduled.

• Obtain trainings to assist in professional development meeting 36 hours every 2 years.

• Certified Peer Specialists use the power of peers to support, encourage, and model recovery and resilience from mental health and substance use disorders in ways that are specific to the needs of each individual.

  • Peer support services are individual or group services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus;

  • Peer support services promote skills for coping with and managing psychiatric symptoms while encouraging the use of natural supports and enhancing community living;

  • Peer Support activities assist in achieving goals and objectives set forth by the individual in their individualized treatment or recovery plan;

  • Peer Support activities emphasize the opportunity for individuals to support each other as they move forward in their recovery;

• Certified Peer Specialists interventions may include:

  • Sharing lived experiences of recovery, sharing and supporting the use of recovery tools and modeling successful recovery behaviors;

  • Helping individuals recognize their capacity for resilience;

  • Helping individuals to connect with other clients and with their community at large;

  • Helping individuals who have mental health and/or substance use disorders develop a network for information and support;

  • Assisting individuals who have a mental health and/or substance use disorders to make independent choices and to take a proactive role in their treatment;

  • Assisting individuals with identifying strengths and personal resources to aid in their recovery; and

  • Helping individuals set and achieve recovery goals.

• A Peer Specialist can assist individuals who have a psychiatric disability to make independent choices and to take a proactive role in their treatment.

• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles and techniques as they relate to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

• Knowledge of the problems encountered by persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders and how to access the various community resources available.

• Knowledge of the methods and modalities as well as the legal requirements and court procedures related to treating mental health and substance use disorders.

• Some knowledge of training techniques and practices used in a substance use disorder/ mental health treatment setting.

• Proficient at sharing lived experience with others seeking to engage in recovery while maintaining healthy boundaries.

• Capable of communicating ideas clearly and effectively verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports.

• Ability to connect clients/patients to recovery resources, including mutual aid support groups, located in communities where we serve.

Experience and Education

Qualifications:

• Self identify as a present or former client of mental health or substance use services OR self identifies as a person in recovery from mental health or substance use disorder.

• Be at least 21 years of age

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent

• Pass background check or request an exception to the findings if/when…