Peer Recovery Specialist
PROGRAM: Family Treatment Center
REPORTS TO: Clinical Supervisor
JOB SUMMARY: The PRS draws upon their personal growth experience to carry the message of hope and recovery to individuals during residential treatment and post-treatment. The PRS creates and establishes a supportive professional relationship with individual clients, while modeling and teaching personal responsibility and skill building in recovery and as it relates to the mother/child relationship. The PRS will serve as a mentor and role model to clients. The PRS provides direct services to individuals in the areas of outreach and engagement, and transportation services. It is also designed to assist clients to identify and overcome barriers and obstacles that prevent them from engaging fully in recovery and achieving parenting goals.
Responsibilities & Essential Functions:
• Meet with clients on a regular basis to discuss routine recovery issues from a peer perspective.
• Provide direct assistance in the form of transportation, filling out forms or making phone calls, and accompanying clients to appointments or court.
• Transporting and staying with clients at crisis appointments
• Assist in finding necessary community services to meet basic needs.
• Outreach and follow-up with non-residential program participants where they live as needed, help acclimate them to their new surroundings, and explore recovery resources in the area.
• Provide education about attending self-help groups, obtaining sponsorship, and assisting clients in finding recovery support meetings that accommodate their schedules and child-care needs.
• Role model behavior that is consistent with and supportive to people in recovery from substance use disorder, such behavior will include upholding ethical standards of the program and reliable attendance.
• Assist with tasks associated with clients arriving and leaving Wayside Family Treatment - including if clients leave against staff advice, provide follow up contact and resource support.
• Provide assistance and coaching in the completion of daily living skills.
• Serve as the contact person for in-house meetings, facilitate in-house Alumna Meeting, and attend outside meetings with clients.
• Assist with transportation needs.
• Assist in developing and implementing Alumna community events.
• Collaborate with other teams to meet client needs.
• Participate in in-services, workshops, coursework, and other continuing education relative to quality client care.
• Maintain confidential client records. Maintain accurate, timely and complete records.
• Provide trauma informed care to clients.
• Assist in planning and supervising recreational activities for clients.
• Perform other routine support tasks, including filing, answering telephones, and compiling statistical reports.
• Attend weekly clinical staff meetings.
• Cross-training as a Recovery Advocate (RA) to help in the RA department when needed.
• May pick up a max of 1 RA shift per week, excluding overnights.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Required to hold a current credential from a certification board approved by the commissioner that demonstrates skills and training in the domains of ethics and boundaries, advocacy, mentoring and education, and recovery and wellness support.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain external partnerships in the community.
• Organizational and excellent computer skills essential.
• CPR certification
• Strong attention to detail, thinking capabilities and humor are welcome.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks.
• Ability to relate to women of diverse economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Must be able to demonstrate an ability to be responsive in an effective manner, while maintaining a warm and supportive atmosphere.
• Must be able to pass DHS background study and meet applicable requirements and regulations.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Must value diversity and be able to relate well and enjoy working with women and children of diverse economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Understanding of HIPAA and mandated reporter laws.
• Must be able to be flexible with schedule to meet client needs.
• A valid Minnesota driver's license with a good driving record.
• No DUIs in last three years; No more than three moving violations/accidents in past three years
Education and Experience
• High school diploma or GED
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist through Minnesota Certification board.
• Personal experience in substance use recovery is required.
• College degree in behavioral health preferred.
• Experience with substance use disorder/mental health and culturally responsive trauma-informed care preferred.
• Experience working in a 24-hour behavioral setting preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Physical Requirements
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Must be able to use the telephone and computer.
• Must be able to climb stairs.
Employee Name: Date:
Employee Signature: