Peer Recovery Support Specialist. PRSS (CCBHC) - Assertive Community Outreach

POPULATION SERVED:  ACT Teams provide intensive, community-based services to individuals with severe mental illness.  Individuals served by ACT Teams often have complex mental health needs, including acute psychosis, histories of complex trauma, and co-occurring substance use disorders.  As such, these individuals experience very high behavioral health and physical health risks, which have not been successfully addressed by traditional forms of outpatient treatment.  The primary function of ACT Teams is to help reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and incarcerations, by providing individuals the resources essential to thrive and maintain independence in their natural environment.

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the core ACT principles and ensure clinical practices reflect a high standard of model fidelity.
• Attend and participate in daily organizational meetings and weekly treatment team meetings with multi-disciplinary team, utilizing a team approach in working with ACT clients.
• Provide routine medication delivery and support to clients in community.
• Promote healthy lifestyles, including general wellness education and information specific to chronic medical conditions.
• Have good working knowledge of community resources for basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing.  Refer and link ACT clients as needed.
• Within scope of practice, assist interdisciplinary team with the completion of ACT initial comprehensive assessments and ongoing clinical assessments.
• Within scope of practice, provide assessment for high-risk clients and when appropriate follow agency-established protocols for ensuring client safety.
• Utilize agency issued cell phone during work hours for ACT work.  Staff are expected to be responsive to cell calls and agency approved electronic communication, when scheduled to work. 
• Have reliable transportation and be willing to utilize personal vehicle for community-based work, which may include transporting clients when appropriate.
• Demonstrate comfort and flexibility while working with clients in difficult life circumstances, which may include individuals, who are homeless or living in substandard conditions.
• Coordinate with community partners to ensure continuity of care and advocate for client needs.  Example of community partners include: housing providers, inpatient hospital staff, shelter staff, and law enforcement.
• Must have a strong commitment to the rights and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness. Skills to establish supportive, trusting relationships and respect for client preferences in treatment are essential.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Peer Recovery Support Specialists are required to have a High School diploma or equivalent. In addition, candidates must have personal experience as a recipient of mental health services and be active in recovery from mental illness or substance use. Candidates are expected to utilize expertise gained from personal recovery to assist clients in their own path of recovery. Candidates must have PRSS certification or obtain PRSS certification from ODMH within first 60 days of employment. Must have a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record; use of personal automobile will be required for travel to locations outside of primary office.

DRUG FREE WORK PLACE:  This job is classified as a “safety-sensitive” position as defined by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act.  Due to the “safety-sensitive” classification, an employee in this position would be subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing.  Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening.  Possession of a medical marijuana license will not excuse you from the testing process or the consequences of testing positive for marijuana per the Family & Children’s Services Drug Free Workplace Policy, including possible revocation of a job offer or dismissal from employment.