Peer Support Specialist

SUMMARY: Peer Support Services provide recovery-oriented, rehabilitative, and supportive services to individuals and families affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Services are based upon mutuality, shared lived experience, hope, resilience, self-determination, and recovery principles. The Peer Support Specialist assists individuals and families in identifying strengths, developing wellness goals, accessing community resources, navigating systems of care, and promoting overall health and wellness. Services may be provided in the Behavioral Health outpatient clinic, schools, homes, and community settings. Peer Support Specialists are valuable members of the interdisciplinary treatment team and work collaboratively with behavioral health professionals, families, schools, healthcare providers, and community partners to support recovery, wellness, cultural connectedness, and community healing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and/or RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Assist individuals and families in developing and achieving individualized recovery and wellness goals through participation in the Wellness and Recovery Service Plan (WRSP).
• Provide peer mentoring and support through the appropriate use of lived experience, recovery principles, and encouragement.
• Assist individuals in accessing community resources including healthcare, housing, transportation, educational opportunities, employment services, food assistance, and social services.
• Support individuals and families in building healthy coping skills, resilience, self-advocacy, self-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Provide care coordination and collaborate with treatment providers, schools, social service agencies, tribal programs, and community organizations.
• Assist with referrals, appointment scheduling, and follow-up services to promote continuity of care.
• Co-facilitate support groups, Talking Circles, recovery groups, wellness activities, and community-based programming.
• Provide education and information regarding recovery, wellness, mental health, substance use disorders, trauma, healthy boundaries, and available community resources.
• Assist individuals and families in developing natural support systems and strengthening family and community connections.
• Participate in outreach activities to engage individuals who may benefit from behavioral health services.
• Recognize signs of emotional distress, crisis situations, suicide risk, relapse, or behavioral health emergencies and immediately notify appropriate clinical staff.
• Collaborate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and participate in team meetings, case consultations, and care planning.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation according to Behavioral Health Department, Indian Health Services policies, and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services standards.
• Promote cultural identity, traditional values, and participation in cultural activities as part of the recovery and healing process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be 19 years of Age or older;
• Must self-identify as having lived experience as an individual with a mental health/substance use disorder or as a parent/caregiver to a child with a mental health/substance use disorder; for family peer support providers must have experience parenting a child/youth with a behavioral health challenge.
• Must have certification as described by the Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health.
• Previous work in the mental health field and/or social services/social work is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, and/or REGISTRATIONS:

• Must pass background check, physical, and pre-employment drug screen.
• Must agree to participate in all training required for peer support specialist

through state of Nebraska, CPR, specific trauma informed care training required for

behavioral health.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and/or ABILITIES:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, computer, and time management skills required
• Must have high professional ethical standards and emotional stability.
• Ability to use good judgment in making decisions.
• Ability to work with individuals with history of trauma and severe and pervasive mental illness.
• Ability to remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations. Ability to use good judgment in making decisions. Ability to comprehend, understand, and adhere to, at all times, the AMHC Code of Ethics.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, employing the basics of good grammar, punctuation spelling, sentence structure, and penmanship. Ability to complete work assignments and reports in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ability to speak effectively and articulately, demonstrate good listening skills, and

convey concern, understanding, and empathy.

• Ability to remain calm and work effectively in stressful situations. Ability to confront

potentially dangerous situations.

Must pass background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Salary : $18 - $19