Description

Position at AppleGate Recovery
Peer Support Specialist
J OB SUMMARY
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will follow best practices to provide behavioral health services that foster supportive peer relationships with and among the persons enrolled in behavioral health services and other related programs. The PSS by definition is a person in recovery who will utilize her/his personal recovery experience to instill a sense of hope and optimism for persons in recovery. The PSS will demonstrate a personal belief in recovery and a sincere interest in the welfare of persons in recovery. The PSS will demonstrate the ability to engage and serve the consumers enrolled, contribute to the overall success of the consumer's recovery process and carry out duties with flexibility and an individual focus. The PSS will promote and contribute to the development of a culture of recovery and empowerment within and outside of the treatment center and will uphold the integrity of program goals. In addition the PSS will complete detailed and accurate encounter notes and other reports to document program measures including but not limited to weekly KPI data. The PSS will conduct peer support groups to assist persons enrolled in behavioral health services to realize their personal goals in treatment, employment, education and all other life changing opportunities. The PSS will report directly to the Treatment Center Director and Counselor Supervisor or designee, on all matters pertinent to the successful obtainment of program goals and standards.
R ESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Be a role model for person's enrolled seeking recovery and treatment services, other staff members, and service providers in the treatment process.
• Share personal experiences of recovery to build a sense of hope in the recovery and supportive services.
• Assist in the development of a culture of recovery and peer support by engaging in and supporting peer relationships.
• Work with clients served to assist them in the development and implementation of an individualized and integrated Recovery Support Service plan.
• Engage appropriately with persons enrolled to support them in identifying strengths, existing supports, and community resources.
• Support those enrolled in obtaining individualized goals through building and strengthening of linkages with community resources and family members.
• Provide recovery and supportive services education for persons enrolled, staff, and family members. This will include but is not limited to: Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) and SMART Recovery models for enrollees, self-help/mutual peer support groups, training and orientation of new enrollees, and training and orientation for staff and team members.
• Work cooperatively with the Addiction and Mental Health professionals to conduct illness management and recovery groups.
• Collect data and provide feedback on goal attainment and other supportive service linkage success to primary supervisor.
• As directed by the Supervisor, network with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Housing, Mental Health Case Management, Vocational Support, and other supportive service agencies and organizations, to build integrated support systems.
• Ability to handle stressful situations and interact with others.
• Must be present during working hours at the office for in person meetings and access to a computer without violating company policy.
• Accompany and support persons enrolled in social/leisure, educational, occupational, and/or advocacy based community integration activities.
• Involvement in the Peer Advisory Council as required by the state.
• As necessary provide means of transportation through appropriate agencies and/or assistance with other supportive services needed to assist clients in obtaining their recovery goals.
• Refer and assist clients in obtaining necessary supportive services and provide input concerning service shortfalls and successes to the Supervisor.
• Collect data and report on client follow-up and retention success measures.
• Attend meetings, training functions and other official Peer Support functions as required.
• Safeguard confidential information.
• Comply with Treatment center policies.
• Comply with applicable local, state, and federal licensing
• Project a positive image of the Treatment center and its programs to the community, and the Treatment center clients.
• Perform general administrative duties including but not limited to, answering phones, Insurance verifications, board of pharmacy checks, checking patients in/out, performing urine drug test screens and managing day to day patient work flow.
• Perform other Peer related duties as assigned.
• Other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age requirement of 18.
• Have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Knowledge of support systems and community resources available to patients and their significant others, with the ability to assist patients in the development and implementation of an individualized and integrated Recovery Support plan.
• Act as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Engage appropriately with patients enrolled to support them in identifying strengths, existing supports, and community resources, with the ability to develop and maintain effective and ethical therapeutic relationships with individuals and groups.
• Assist in the development of a culture of recovery and peer support by engaging in and supporting peer relationships, with the ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Ability to accurately document information, with knowledge of computers, word processing and data processing software.
• Ensures that federal regulations on privacy, confidentiality, and patients' rights are enforced (42 C.F.R., Part 2, and HIPAA).
• Ability to carry out duties with moderate supervision.
• Exhibits excellent written and oral communication, documentation and computer skills.
• Compliance with accepted professional standards and practices Initiative to take charge of unforeseen situations, solve problems and adjust to schedule changes
• Satisfactory references from employers and/or professional peers
• Satisfactory criminal background check

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and 401(K)
• Generous paid time off accrual
• Excellent growth and development opportunities
• Satisfying and rewarding work striving to overcome the opioid epidemic

COVID-19 considerations:
Everyone will be asked to be in compliance with the most recent COVID guidelines from CDC, State, County and City.
Here is what you can expect from us:
AppleGate Recovery , a progressive substance abuse treatment organization, is committed to the highest quality of patient care in a comfortable outpatient clinic setting. Our ultimate goal is to address the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of opioid use disorder to help each of our patients achieve long-term recovery and an improved quality of life.
AppleGate Recovery is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, natural origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic disposition, disability or veteran's status or any other classification protected by State/Federal laws.