Overview

Responsibilities

Peer Specialist are responsible for providing social interaction on a group and individual basis with residential consumers, promoted recovery-oriented activities, assisting consumers in developing advocacy skills, and assisting staff and consumers in understanding the recovery process.

Essential Functions

• Provides social interaction, both individually and as a group, to develop social skills and to help consumers develop insight into their mental illness
• Promotes recovery-oriented skills to help achieve goals created in the treatment plan
• Establish linkages that result in the consumer’s active use of resources in the community
• Assist consumers in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy and advocates on behalf of consumer when needed
• Assists staff and consumers in understanding recovery and share unique experiences leading toward rehabilitation
• Serve as a role model to help staff in understanding recovery and share unique experiences leading toward rehabilitation
• Works with recreation staff to plan and implement recreational activities for consumers
• Conducts community meetings with consumers in each assigned group home
• Conducts peer support groups for adult day treatment programs
• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents legibly and in a clear and concise manner
• Documents individualized consumer responses to services provided
• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance skills
• Attends and participates in staff meetings as required
• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families
• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
• Attends appropriate in-services training and other workshops

Physical Requirements

• There is frequent standing, sitting, and walking which are in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes. However, there are times when this can be extended to pacing with the consumer (time could be undetermined), and at times sitting and standing can be extended with the employee having the ability to change positions as permitted by the observance and behavior of the consumer at that time.
• Lift up to 15 pounds occasionally during shift.
• Strong grasp is needed to use keys to open doors throughout the facility
• Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during a shift.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Physical Requirements are subject to change with notice.

Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent required

Must be a current or former recipient of mental health services for no less than one year with a significant mental health disorder as defined by the DSM-V

Must be well grounded in one’s own recovery

Be willing to share one’s own recovery story 

Peer Specialist Certification (Provided by AltaPointe after hire)

Must be 23 years of age or older, maintain a valid Alabama driver's license, and must have proof of current liability insurance

AltaPointe requires that all new employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. AltaPointe allows candidates who are not fully vaccinated at the time of hire a reasonable amount of time to obtain vaccinated status. This position requires vaccination against COVID-19 or, if applicable, an approved accommodation for religious or medical reasons.