Peer Specialist- Outpatient/MAT

Job Summary:

The Peer Specialist for the ALTO Substance Use Disorder Outpatient/Medication for Addiction Treatment and Contingency Management and will provide both in-office and community-based peer services, serving adults 18 and over. The Peer Specialist will provide a safe and welcoming environment as an advocate and role model, using a trauma-informed practices, motivational interviewing, and endorsing positive development in recovery. The Peer Specialist will provide mentorship by identifying strengths and supporting personal goals. The Peer Specialist will also provide guidance and advocacy in navigating the justice system, substance use services, medical and behavioral health needs, and other community resources, as well as identifying and coordinating with community support providers. The Peer Specialist will help with outreach efforts and early admission screening and linkages, in both internal and external programs and resources (including medical providers). Services will be delivered with dignity and respect for each individual client and a commitment to their right of choice. 

Peer Specialists will engage in clinical supervision, personal reflection, and regular training to ensure confidence, stability, ethical care, and personal boundaries. Position is scheduled to work 40 hours per week.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Engagement, Mentorship, and Education

• Following all aspects of the Employee Code of Conduct, establish a peer support relationship with program participants. 
• Build trust and rapport with clients and their supportive relationships (by request) by appropriately sharing lived experience and offering relatable support.
• Promote engagement in recovery and resiliency-building services through outreach and coordination at community resources and community events.
• Provide mentoring, advocacy, and support in setting and pursuing personal goals, including recovery goals.
• Educate clients and supportive relationships on local health services, substance use education, daily living skills, and accessing community resources in both individual sessions and group settings.
• Conduct educational and support sessions for supportive relationships at request of clients.
• Support clients in identifying and engaging with strengths, coping strategies, and natural supports.

2. System Navigation and Advocacy

• Help individuals navigate systems such as education, legal, medical, and mental health services.
• Advocate with external service providers to ensure coordinated care and support.
• Promote self-determination, personal responsibility, and empowerment in recovery and life decisions through endorsing autonomy and referrals to sustainable support systems

3. Team Collaboration

• Work alongside licensed medical providers, SUD counselors, and behavioral health professionals within and outside the outpatient program to complement traditional treatment approaches.
• Attend and contribute to team planning meetings, uplifting the clients’ voice in decision-making.
• Participate in team trainings, supervision, and reflective practice.
• Endorse structural wellbeing of the program by committing to safety, workflows, and collaborative team decision-making

4. Professionalism and Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in various systems as required and achieve productivity requirements.
• Demonstrate organization, clear task completion, and strong communication across cultures and identities with supervisor support on strategies for adherence.
• Model positive relationships, respectful boundaries, and maintain a safe and supportive environment.
• Use trauma-informed methodology to perform toxicology screenings and relay/collect data

Qualifications:

• Bilingual – English/Spanish preferred (will receive bilingual stipend of $1.00 per hour on top of hour pay rate)
• High school diploma or GED
• Self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from a substance use disorder system and willingness to share experiences to encourage and advocate for others in recovery process.
• Lived experience with recovery supports, the justice system, behavioral health, and/or welfare system.
• Strong commitment to recovery
• Passion for working with clients in the community facing complex challenges.
• Strong communication and active listening skills and adherence to professional boundaries.
• Ability to pass background clearance (Department of Justice and FBI)   
• Ability to successfully pass the Peer Specialist Medi-Cal certification examination within 30 days of hire
• Possession of reliable vehicle, valid CA driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and good driving record 
• Excellent interpersonal, written/oral communication and basic computer skills.  
• Willingness to engage in ongoing training and personal development, including provider training and administrative training
  • This job requires documentation in a HIPAA compliant electronic health record and various software systems

Wages & Benefits: 

We prioritize the well-being of our team as much as the community we serve. Our comprehensive health benefits reflect this commitment. We offer full-time employees medical and dental insurance plan that ensures peace of mind for themselves and their families. We go beyond traditional care by also offering our employees acupuncture and chiropractic, embracing a holistic approach to health that aligns with our values of care and compassion.     

Our team’s future matters just as much as the present. That’s why we offer a 403(b) retirement plan, providing a foundation for a secure retirement. We also recognize the need for work-life balance, so Encompass offers a competitive package of 17 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 14 additional paid holidays. These benefits are thoughtfully pro-rated for part-time positions, affirming our commitment to fairness and flexibility. 

Compensation 

• $26 per hour, 40 hours paid work 
  • Supplementary partial-day pay for on-call Holiday and weekend shifts
• Employee Assistance Program  
• Ongoing training opportunities to support professional development 
• Vacation, Sick, and Holiday PTO

About Us: 

At Encompass Community Services we provide our community with a wide range of services related to family & social well-being, early childhood education, behavioral health, housing and more. Every day through these services we work to make health, education and housing more equitable for all people in Santa Cruz County. For more than 50 years our work has touched generations by helping people have access to education, rebuild relationships, restore their health and regain dignity. 

Salary : $26