Peer Recovery Support Specialist (Comal County MH Center)

Help us help others:

The Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) is a valued member of our Substance Use Services (SUS) team, using lived experience to support and inspire individuals on their recovery journey. Working under the guidance of the SUS Program Director, the PRSS builds meaningful connections between program participants and clinical staff while advocating for the participants' needs and goals.

In this role, you will provide recovery-oriented support to individuals and groups, meeting people where they are: at home, in the community, or at their place of work. You will offer hope, encouragement, and practical tools that help individuals develop skills for long-term, sustainable recovery. This position serves people from diverse backgrounds and at various stages of recovery.

PRSS staff draw on their personal recovery experience and knowledge of local behavioral health and community resources to help others move forward. An active commitment to your own recovery is essential, as well as completion of the Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification within our program.

You will get to:

Essential Duties:

•  Work closely with other members of the SUS team, and provide a lived experience perspective to the SUS team providers.
• Work closely with the team members, attend team meetings, document visits in the client's record, and maintain a schedule in coordination with team providers
•  Meet with individuals and facilitate groups related to recovery and wellness, and relapse prevention strategies
•  Contact all SUS referrals within 1 business day to introduce oneself and initiate engagement in the program services
•  Coordinate scheduling of individuals with SUS clinical staff for assessment and program participation
•  Use Motivational Interviewing and evidence-based recovery and wellness education materials to assist individuals in improving health and wellness
•  Assist in the development of individual recovery and wellness goals
•  Coordinate and conduct self-help groups and peer support activities
•  Provide visual aids (tear sheets, posters, models, hands-on activities) to boost engagement and understanding
•  Teach and model skills that are needed to promote wellness and recovery, present as a role model who has lived experience, and offer practical, real-world recommendations, serve as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator as needed
•  Help individuals navigate the various behavioral health care systems, including SUS inpatient, detox, step down, and outpatient recovery, primary health, mental health, and others as appropriate
•  Provide sound and appropriate education information that supports wellness and recovery
•  Inform individuals in recovery of community resources and assist in accessing them
•  Promote the value of self-help, peer support, engagement, accountability, and personal empowerment to foster recovery
•  Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies
•  Complete required training, documentation, and service delivery according to State and Federal regulations, Hill Country MHDDC, and the Substance Use Services Operational Plan.

Professional Conduct:

•  Get along well with co-workers and supervisors
•  Foster positive workplace morale
•  Observe work hours and good attendance
•  Follow the dress code
•  Communicate effectively
•  Follow through with self-care practices
•  Comply with all HCMHDDC Policies & Procedures
•  Participate fully in meetings, trainings, and staff meetings
•  Display a teachable attitude and a willingness to learn

Program Operational Functions:

•  Interact positively and in cooperation with other members of the organization and team, including active participation in supervision activities, team meetings, continuing education, and the Peer Support Services Team
•  Maintain data tracking systems in an organized manner to comply with reporting and auditing requests in a timely fashion
•  Complete all documentation and reporting requirements thoroughly and on time

You'll definitely need:

Required:

•  Identify oneself as a person living with addiction or a mental health diagnosis
•  Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations
•  High School Diploma or GED
•  Current Texas Driver's License
•  Completion of Certification of Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Preferred:

•  Bilingual English/Spanish

We'll also want you to:

•  Maintain comprehensive documentation that meets or exceeds Department of State Health Services (DSHS) standards and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) standards
•  Utilize Collaborative Documentation and complete all documentation of contacts within 24 hours
•  Reach out to SUS referrals within 1 business day
•  Comply with HIPAA and Protected Health Information (PHI)/Personally Identifiable Information (PII) policies/rules/laws/regulations to ensure the confidentiality of all client information
•  Comply with all HCMHDDC policies and procedures, including the completion of all required training
•  Ensure timely communication within the department and with other departments and agencies via written correspondence, email, telephones, and other means to ensure project follow-through and completion
•  Value and respect every individual's recovery experience
•  Engage individuals in services in the progression of person-centered recovery goals/objectives
•  Provide face-to-face service hours to reach or exceed performance goals
•  Must be eager to promote the peer support program. This includes engaging individuals in existing services or new services in the peer support program; this may include introductory calls (cold calls), greeting individuals waiting for services (in waiting areas), presenting information in a public setting, etc.
• Provide timely notice to individuals served, supervisor, clinic director, and other necessary team members on changes to group schedules, appointments, etc.
•  Maintain appointment rate above 80%
•  Maintain a minimum of 25 weekly scheduled appointments
•  Client Record Audit score of 85 or above (quarterly)
• Must become certified in PMAB, First Aid, and CPR within three months of employment and maintain certification without interruption thereafter.

We're excited to provide:

• PPO health insurance plan with the option to add dependents.
• PPO dental plan and vision insurance options for healthy teeth and eyes.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• 401(a) plan, employer matches your contributions dollar for dollar up to 8% of your salary. You are 100% vested after 3 years of service.
• 457/403(b) plan, employees are immediately eligible to contribute pre-tax earnings.
• Generous paid time off for fun and vacations, and paid sick time for when you're under the weather.
• An authentic and caring environment where folks care about each other and want to do good in the world

We can pay you:

$18.63 per hour and benefits