PEER SPECIALIST

Provide peer support services as part of a multi-disciplinary team to people with mental health and/or substance use disorders including individuals utilizing Intensive Outpatient Program services (IOP). . Service provisions will focus on working with clients to enhance their recovery. Services are provided to individuals, groups, or community resources.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Provide individualized, ongoing guidance, coaching and support.

Provide ongoing support for individuals enrolled in Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Services.

Coordinating support services for clinical team delivering IOP services.

Provide training in the use of personal and community resources.

Assist in developing formal and informal community support.

Assist the individual being served by increasing their social support networks of relatives, friends and/or significant others.

Offer encouragement in times of crisis.

Advocate on behalf of people with behavioral health problems to protect the client’s rights and to assist in reducing associated stigma.

Work in cooperation with Behavioral Health and Medical teams, family members or significant others involved in the client’s recovery plan.

Attend Agency staff meetings, Case Conferences, Individual and Group Supervision.

Attain established standards of productivity.

Observe all rules of confidentiality relating to clinical information and treatment, both internally and when dealing with external agencies and/or individuals.

Be responsible for understanding client rights, policy and procedures.

Participate in staff training and development.

Serve on designated committees within the agency.

Always maintain professional standards and observe the guidelines established within the Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Culture of Service: 3 C’s
Compassion

• Greet internal or external customers (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) with courtesy, making eye contact, responding with a proper tone and nonverbal language.
• Listen to the internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) attentively, reassuring an understanding of the request and providing appropriate options or resolutions.

Competency

• Provide services required by following established protocols and when needed, procure additional help to answer questions to ensure appropriate services are delivered

Commitment

• Take initiative and anticipate internal or external customer needs by engaging them in the process and following up as needed
• Prioritize internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) requests to ensure the prompt and effective response is provided

Safety

Safety
Ensure proper handwashing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Understand and appropriately act upon the assigned role in Emergency Code System.
Understand and perform assigned roles in the organization’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).

Contact Responsibility

The responsibility for internal and external contacts is frequent and important.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the following physical activities: frequent sitting, bending, standing, walking, talking in person and talking on the phone. Occasional driving, stretching/reaching and lifting up to 50 lbs. are required. Work usually is performed in an office setting.

Other
Participates in health center developmental activities as requested.
Other duties as assigned.

Travel Details

Travel to community resources will be expected.

 Skills:

• Ability to create positive report with individual with substance use disorder that may be actively using
• Being in recovery for more than a year
• Knowledge about SUD services in the community
• Ability to involve may providers and services with clients
• Ability to communicate effectively with all parties involved.

Education:

High school diploma required.

Licenses:

Peer Certification will be required within 6 months of being hired.