Description
Position Title: Peer Support Specialist
Program/Dept: FSP/REACH/AOT/New Ventures
Reports to: Program Director
Classification: Regular, Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $19.35/Hour (Non-Benefitted)
Agency Description: Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar's thriving programs and services serve more than 14,000 individuals annually across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, and Butte Counties. Our nonprofit organization's portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. And, we are expanding our capacity to address the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families.
Position Description: The peer is responsible for providing community-based support services to mentally ill adults using a recovery based model and systems integration approach to services delivered. Peer's are expected to work a schedule of 10 to 20 hours per week. Candidates must be flexible to adjust to the needs of a fast paced environment, demonstrate effective problem solving skills and prioritize duties daily.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide direct services in an outpatient, community-based service model to severely and persistently mentally ill adults.

• Provides self-help recovery services (WRAP) as well as other peer wellness services.

• Supports clients in learning how to make good choices for themselves.

• Assist in resolution of conflicts between and among roommates and housemates.

• Educate, encourage, support and assist clients in all aspects of their individual care, including their physical, social, emotional, educational, recreational and vocational development in a manner which promotes their dignity and independence.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation and/or progress notes as required, associated with individuals' progress and other activities. Document in EHR by end of work shift.

• Verbally communicate services provided, observations of client symptoms/functioning/non-at-risk concerns about clients with to case managers, program directors and medication clinic staff in person or via voicemail by the end of each shift.

• Report all "at-risk," unusual, or illegal activity by clients to appropriate members of the team (i.e. program director, case manager, medical staff or Emergency On-call) immediately.

• Adheres to mandatory reporting laws and HIPAA confidentiality laws.

• Assists with crisis situations as appropriate, complying with protocols and procedures regarding de-escalation techniques.

• Perform administrative duties as needed. Administrative duties may include admin support to the Program Director.

• Listen to clients concerns and communicate/advocate those concerns with Caminar staff.

• Work within a multidisciplinary team to contribute to the development and on-going implementation of client treatment plans.

• Support, promote and teach good standards of health & hygiene, social skills and independence; Assist in monitoring cleanliness and maintenance of client living environments, providing assistance as necessary in order to meet minimum standards and reporting observations of conditions in a timely and thorough manner.

• May occasionally provide transportation support for clients to scheduled appointments, groups, recreational activities and other community-based activities as a way to build rapport with clients, consistent with role as a Peer and approved by Program Director. In some programs this may not be required.

• Support and assist clients with maintenance of their personal health, including attainment of, attendance at and follow through with medical, psychiatric, and dental care appointments.

• Attend weekly staff/medication support scheduling meeting in cooperation with the multi-disciplinary team, sharing information regarding all important interventions.

• Assure that data and information related to client services provided is accurately recorded and forwarded regularly to designated personnel.

• Attend staff meetings at least two times per month.

• Actively attends and participates in regular in-service trainings.

• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization's mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.

• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.

• On a regular and consistent basis demonstrate flexibility by actively volunteering/participating in an on-call rotation to meet the emergent needs of the community we serve.

• Drive own or agency vehicle to treatment destinations, document and report mileage according to agency policies and procedures and comply with agency driver and vehicle policies at all times. In some programs this may not be required.

• Submit accurate and complete time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner.

• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency's own Health & Safety Program.

• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.

• High School Diploma or GED is required. BA in psychology or related field preferred.

• Must be available to work morning, evening and weekend shifts on a short notice and overtime when required. Ability to work 10 to 20 hours weekly with a flexible work schedule required.

• One year of demonstrated work experience with SMI/DD preferred.

• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems strongly preferred. Experience with web based time and attendance and staff training and development system is strongly preferred.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.

• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, boundaries, and emotional stability.

• Problem solving-identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.

• Customer Service-manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.

• Oral and written communication-speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.

• Quality management-looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

• Planning/organizing-prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.

• Adaptability-adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

• Dependability-is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.

• Safety and security-actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.

• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.
Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:

• Physical: May assist clients with transfers and ambulation including use of cane, walker, and wheelchair, etc. Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.

• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.

• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.

• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.

• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.
Special Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.

• This position requires driving. A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.

• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.

• A personal cell phone with reliable service and, if applicable, a data plan to use for business purposes.

• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services. We are an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org