Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Under immediate to general supervision, the Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) provides general peer support services; serves as an advocate; refers participants to information and resources in a variety of behavioral health and community settings; links participants to community resources such as food, clothing, housing, and other basic needs. The CPRSS performs a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in the recovery processes.  The CPRSS engages in supportive interactions with all ODMHSAS stakeholders.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be a living example that recovery is possible by role modeling recovery and wellness in his or her own life.
• Provide and advocate for effective recovery-oriented services. 
• Teach and mentor the value of every individual’s recovery experience. 
• Coach on effective coping techniques and self-help strategies. 
• Assist consumers in articulating personal goals for recovery and identifying the objectives needed to reach them.
• Empower consumers through promoting autonomy, self-direction, and self-advocacy.
• Facilitate peer support groups and self-help (mutual support) groups. 
• Support consumers in using WRAP or other wellness plans.
• Assist in creating a crisis plan and Psychiatric Advanced Directive.
• Support consumers in identifying meaningful roles and integrating into communities of their choice.
• Assist consumers in building social skills and on the development of natural support systems.
• Attending treatment team and program development meetings to ensure the presence of the consumer voice and to promote the use of self-directed recovery tools.
• Share knowledge about and resources for various behavioral health settings and ancillary services (i.e., Social Security, housing services, supportive employment, and advocacy organizations).   
• Assist consumers in obtaining services that suit his or her recovery needs. 
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the behavioral health field through ongoing participation in training and other educational opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Demonstrated participation in advocacy and/or personal knowledge in recovery.
• Be willing to self-disclose about personal recovery and wellness.
• Be stabilized in recovery and practice ongoing self-care.
• Be able to serve as an example for others of what wellness and recovery looks like.
• Agree to respect and observe the CPRSS Code of Ethics 
• Complete the CPRSS training and pass the examination with a score of 70% or better.
• Maintain CPRSS certification including CEU’s and yearly certification renewal.
• Basic computer knowledge including basic Microsoft Office programs.

WORK CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed in climate-controlled office setting, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes and gases is unlikely. 
• Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of normal office equipment (printers, fax machine, phones, etc.) 
• No environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of job duties. 
• Work requires a flexible work schedule due to internal and external meetings. Occasional travel may be required; must have reliable transportation. 
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. 
• Physical ability to lift and carry 25 pounds. 

• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards of the site and staff behavior.
• Physical mobility and endurance to perform tasks while standing/walking for long periods of time (60 minutes or more).
• Ability to climb stairs.

• Ability to safely and properly use office equipment.