Peer Support Specialist; - Overdoes and Infectious Disease Prevention

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Director of Addiction Services and Peer Support. The Peer Support Specialist will be a current or former recipient of mental health services and/or substance use disorder services, should have self-knowledge and self-awareness of their mental health diagnosis/illness and/or substance use disorder, and willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients. Provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team members; act as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance abuse services, education, support and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of the Director of Addiction Services and Peer Support.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Educate the community about the availability and evidence-base of The Centers’ Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) services, including through the use of evidence-based consumer materials and content
• Frequent our SEP sites and provide guidance and assistance to clients
• Help clients and patients reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use
• Serve as a first contact and partner to people who use drugs (PWUD) in the community, individuals accessing our SEP, and patients in recovery Provide coaching and consultation to clients to promote recovery and self-direction (e.g., preparation for a role in treatment planning meetings).
• Modeling skills for and providing consultation to fellow staff members.
• Providing cross-training to other staff members in recovery principles and strategies.
• Must have the interpersonal skills and abilities to effectively work with individuals with mental health illness and their families, agency referrals, and other service providers in the community
• Serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment
• Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to staff concerning clients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side effects of medications, clients’ responses to and opinion of treatment, and clients’ experiences of recovery
• Help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and substance use, develop strategies to reduce self-stigma
• Increase awareness of and support client participation in client self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery
• Help other staff members identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness and substance use and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within the organization
• Must be able to provide services to clients in multiple settings including jail, shelters, streets, hospitals, and homes
• Facilitate referrals to community members and SEP participants as needed to infectious disease prevention, detection, care, and treatment (including HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and wound care); substance use disorder care and treatment (including low threshold medication-assisted treatment and evidence-based psychological and behavioral treatments); and essential support services (including transportation, mental health services)
• Must be able to assist clients in identifying and coping with mental illness and/or substance use by encouraging clinical engagement practices and techniques in addition to community activities
• Encourage and support the client through the development of mental capacity for independence and healthy independent decision making related to but not limited to the living situation, hygiene, personal care, household skills, medication administration, social skills, coping techniques, etc.
• Observe and report behavior, attitude, mood swings, mental health, substance use, and/or healthcare needs.
• Documentation of client encounters in medical record software according to agency standards.
  
  

Other Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Adheres to the ethical, confidentiality, and professional-standards requirements of federal and state law, the policies of this organization, and the policies of licensing and credentialing boards.
• Speaks and acts in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to a person’s ethnic, cultural, and developmental background, to any disabling conditions, and to conditions that may affect the person’s ability to form accurate perceptions, process information, understand directions, and communicate important information.
• Consistently interacts with members of this and other organizations in a respectful, professional manner; productively contributes to the functioning of an interdisciplinary team.
• Assumes additional responsibilities and performs special projects as needed or directed.
  
  

Job Qualifications

The Peers Specialist must meet local standards for certification as a peer specialist OR if peer certification is unavailable locally, minimum qualifications include the following: (1) self-identified as an individual with a serious mental illness who is currently or formerly a recipient of mental health services; (2) Is in the process of his/her recovery; and (3) has completed training in wellness management and recovery interventions.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Ohio driver’s license with less than six points and proof of automobile insurance, adhering to the minimum requirements of Ohio’s Financial Responsibility Act.
• CPR Certification, first aid and non-violent crisis intervention training (with-in 60 days of hire).
• Active Peer Support Certification from OMHAS
  
  

Travel

Travel and presence in the community will comprise approximately 30-40% of this role.

Hours per week: 40

Physical Demands/Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms. Travel and work outside of normal hours may be required for meetings, presentations, training, and other events.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of The Centers. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility. Employee signature below constitutes the employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. Your employment with The Centers is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period and it is subject to termination by you or The Centers, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

About The Centers

The Centers fights for equity by healing, teaching, and inspiring individuals and families to reach their full potential. We provide health, family, and workforce services at 11 locations throughout Greater Cleveland, creating life-changing solutions for people to lead healthier and more successful lives. We provide high-quality healthcare to everyone who comes through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Our health care services include mental and physical health care, primary care, dental, behavioral health urgent care, pharmacy services, addiction and substance use treatment, HIV/AIDS prevention and support services, along with trauma recovery service. We strive to be an equitable, anti-racist, and service-oriented workplace that pioneers and co-creates solutions while fostering an inclusive community where our team members thrive.

Wellbeing And Benefits

• Providing quality benefits to our staff is important to us. Just as important is our staff’s well-being. That’s why we offer a number of choices to meet the different needs of our staff.
• Choice of medical and dental plans
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care Vision
• Support for continuing education and credential renewal
• Life Insurance Retirement Savings (401k) with a company contribution
• Mental Health Support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Calm Subscription
• Short and Longterm Disability
  
  

The Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.