****Position Summary

Peer Support Specialist is responsible for providing peer to peer support services including: monitoring, informing, supporting, assisting and empowering clients and their family members/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services; developing and coordinating activities, programs and resources which directly support clients and family members/caregivers in achieving wellness and recovery oriented goals; facilitating peer to peer assistance as a part of a team setting; conducting outreach to clients, family members/caregivers and the community; and acting in a liaison role between clients, family members/caregivers and community service providers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides peer support and self-help services to behavioral health clients and their family members/caregivers in individual or group settings on site in county programs as well as in the community.
• Under direction of clinical/supervisory staff, assists in coordinating clinical services, provides linkage to other services and resources, monitors, supports, assists and empowers clients and family members/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.
• Assists the Department in gathering client and family member/caregiver perspectives and ensuring it is considered in policy and program development.
• Assists in the development and coordination of activities, programs and resources which support clients and family members/ caregivers in achieving wellness and recovery goals such as self-help and peer-led groups.
• Provides skill training to clients and family members/caregivers on tasks related to recovery focused independent living such as self-empowerment, self-responsibility, public transportation, housing applications, interviews, shopping, etc. Serves as a role model for recovery
• Assists and advocates for clients and family members/caregivers as they navigate through the system of care including: assisting with referral follow through; transition to different levels of care; providing information on support resources; facilitating and encouraging family member/caregiver involvement as appropriate.
• Prepares and supports clients and family members/caregivers in a variety of client and family centered activities such as case consultation/staff meetings, hearings, interviews, completion of satisfaction surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder input opportunities.
• Documents activities in accordance with Department and program requirements.
• Support client’s vocational choices and assists them in stress management and other symptoms related to all facets of employment.
• Works as part of the treatment team including: participating in meetings; encouraging and supporting clients and family members/caregivers in understanding, adhering to, and progressing in the treatment plan; evaluating their responses; outreaching; and empowering them to communicate openly and directly with treatment providers.
• Greets and welcomes clients and family members/caregivers upon arrival to programs/offices.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, preferred

• Maintain State Certification / Licensure or be in the process of obtaining Certification / License

• Registered substance abuse certification

• Knowledge of Basic Recovery and wellness concepts and behavioral health services;

public and private agency services and resources available for clients and family members/caregivers, such as schools, social services, and community resources;

• Knowledge of Barriers to wellness and recovery, obstacles related to accessing services and strategies to navigate and overcome barriers and obstacles;

• Knowledge of Office procedures and practices to include computer usage;

• Knowledge of Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation;

• Knowledge of Basic Record keeping practices.

• Ability to Operate a computer in the completion of assignments;

• Ability to Understand and follow oral and written instructions;

• Ability to Effectively educate and assist client family members/caregivers within the behavioral health system and community;

• Ability to Communicate effectively orally and in writing with people of various educational, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds;

• Ability to Work effectively in stressful, emotional and confrontational situations and as part of a multidisciplinary team;

• Ability to Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels as well as other agencies and the public;

• Ability to Maintain confidentiality of all information;

• Ability to Display and maintain a high degree of maturity, integrity and good judgment