Peer Support Specialist

Summary

Promotes a recovery based approach to member care that emphasizes hope, respect, self-direction and empowerment by providing peer support, personal assistance, education on community resources, supportive services, advocacy and other support primarily in-home and/or in the community to aid in members recovery from mental illness and/or addiction disorders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision, provides supportive assistance to, and the modeling of self-advocacy with the member to help him/her research and access needed and desired community resources.
Works cooperatively with others to assure the smooth and seamless delivery of comprehensive services to members.
Assist members in choosing, obtaining and keeping wellness and healthy lifestyle related goals.
Use a variety of methods, tailored to the individual, to move through the process of setting and reaching health and wellness related goals.
Compile and share wellness and healthy lifestyle resources for members, staff and/or other stakeholders.
Provide structure and support to promote personal progress and accountability.
Assists in the development and coordination of activities, programs, and resources which directly support members or family members/caregivers of consumers in achieving wellness and recovery goals. For example: Assists consumers in obtaining benefits, i.e. SSI, AHCCCS/Medicare, Section 8, identification cards.
Assists members with advocating and/or obtaining resources to live in a safe environment (personal safety, food supply, utilities and appliances working, adequacy of furnishings, and lack of fire hazards).
Provides instruction in activities of daily living (nutrition, meal planning, shopping, and meal preparation; budgeting; home cleaning and organization; personal grooming and laundry).
Communicates with clinical team regarding members level of independent functioning and current levels of support provided.
Travels to members residences to provide peer support, personal assistance and other supportive in-home services.
Transports members to and from appointments and treatment settings (agency vehicle) as appropriate.
Relates own recovery process in a positive and supportive manner through coaching, role modeling and mentoring in order to assist members in developing skills to achieve their goals.
Completes documentation for behavioral health record in accordance with agency and funding source requirements.
Advocates for members, as needed, to ensure delivery of necessary services.
Provides crisis intervention, as needed, and notifies Supervisor and treatment team.
Meets, as assigned, with new members providing peer support and orientation to CODAC sites.
Answers members questions using Customer Service Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and CODAC policies and procedures as guides.
Assists in the scheduling of follow-up - appointments for members.
Participates as in provision of Desk Duty or Counselor of the Day by meeting with walk-in members to address urgent and emergent needs of members.
Manages an assigned caseload of members to assure members records are up to date as required including but not limited to assessments, ASAM assessments, consents, releases of information.
Provides Outreach and engagement through calls, letters, coordination with community programs, home visits, etc. as appropriate.
Performs other related duties in accordance with agency growth and changes.

Skills & Requirements
Skills & Requirements

Education:

Masters or Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare related field and no related experience OR;
Masters or Bachelor’s degree in a non-healthcare related field and 3 months relevant related experience OR;
Associates’ degree in a healthcare field and 6 months related experience OR;
Associate’s degree in a non-healthcare field and 1-year related experience OR;
Certified Medical Assistant and 1-year related experience OR;
Certified Peer Support Specialist and 1-year years related experience OR;
High School diploma or General Education Equivalent (GED and 2 years related experience.
Additional Requirements:

Valid Arizona Drivers license, proof of current insurance and willingness to use personal vehicle. Drivers license is an essential requirement for performing duties for this position.
Clean Motor Vehicle Record - no more than 2 moving violations or a license suspension in past 3 years.
1st Aid, CPR and Fingerprint Clearance may be required.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
Certification:

Graduate from Recovery/Peer Support Institute, required.
Skills:

Familiarity with people and practices within various ethnic and cultural groups.
Knowledge of community resources.
Ability to evaluate facts or situations to determine appropriate action.
Ability to effectively facilitate groups
Salary
Pay Information:

Pay Rate: from $18.00/hour
Pay Comments: Pay rate based on level of education and years of work experience relevant to this position.

"Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled"

What you’ll do:

Are you looking for a career to help people but do not have a a degree in behavioral health. Lived experience is valuable to us as we are looking for a Peer Support Specialist. A qualified candidate will have personal experience in receiving behavioral health services, have successfully navigated through the behavioral health system, and is ready to help other on their personal journey .

The Peer Support position is a full time position which will require some evening hours. Experience working with severely mentally ill adults and the adult system of care is required. The Peer Support position serves as a bridge to ongoing services by coordinating and monitoring RBHA/Community based resources and facilitates delivery of these necessary services and support. Acts as a consumer advocate, assists consumers in the ISP process, assists in crisis intervention and outreach/engagement. The goal is to provide individuals who are voluntary and able to give informed consent, assistance in accessing services.

What you’ll provide:

Minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree in the related behavioral healthcare field or equivalent work experience preferred.
Experience working with severely mentally ill adults and the adult system of care is required.
Peer Support Certification is required.
Must be a recipient or have received services through the community behavioral health system.
Must have the ability and willingness to share their experience of receiving behavioral health services.
Must have a Fingerprint clearance card or be eligible to obtain one.
Bi-lingual (Spanish) Diff per hour available.
Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment.

Who we are:

EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center, part of the La Frontera family, is an industry-leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing valued community services and resources for behavioral health counseling, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention since 1987. We are an EEO/AA Employer.

What you’ll do:

Our entry level Crisis Transition Navigator (CTN) works with individuals who have received services from the Maricopa County crisis system (Non-Title XIX and Title XIX-Non-SMI Adults). The Crisis Transition Navigator serves as a bridge to ongoing services by coordinating and monitoring RBHA/Community-based resources and facilitates delivery of these necessary services and supports. The goal of the CTN is to provide individuals who are voluntary and able to give informed consent, assistance in accessing post-crisis services to assist with food, housing, financial stability, and identifying support systems.

Essential Responsibilities:

Meets with consumers of crisis services in the community as referred by specified crisis providers. Completes AHCCCS applications and/or collaboration with DES offices for persons that meet AHCCCS eligibility criteria. Assists in mapping out the most appropriate next steps for the individual who may need assistance in accessing various other providers or community based services after their initial crisis has passed, including development of a Crisis Navigation Plan (CNP). The plan will be self-directed by the recipient and coordinated with the CTN. The CTN will follow up and assist with implementation of the needs identified in the CNP. Will review and monitor recipient progress.
Develops and collaborates with an extensive network of Community Based and RBHA resources. The CTN must know how to access various social/behavioral health community based services that can include but are not limited to: food, clothing, housing, support services, and Outpatient Crisis Stabilization/Transition services. This can also include making necessary appointments, assisting with scheduling or arranging SMI evaluations and Outpatient Stabilization/Transition services when applicable.
Maintains accurate and thorough documentation in progress notes and in the client's Crisis Navigation Plan (CNP).
Serves as a short term recovery coach, helping the participant develop and implement self-directed recovery plan, sharing experience, providing support, teaching self-management techniques and reassurance.
Requires competency (via specialized training) in: Risk Assessment, In Home Safety, AHCCCS eligibility/Affordable Health Care Act, SMI eligibility, Crisis System, Other identified peer specialist and system training
Additional Responsibilities may include:

Facilitating appointments with treatment providers for behavioral health assessments when applicable.
Coordinating post-crisis/stabilization transportation.
Assisting recipients in obtaining Birth Certificates and/or other forms of acceptable identification if needed.
Identifying transportation options.
Referral for SMI evaluations when criteria are met.
Coordinating housing with community shelters, apartments, and housing facilities.
Recommends to the Program Coordinator or Manager changes that would improve service delivery. Select and develop one specialized function related to the development of department services.
Participates in agency fund raising activities as requested by management.
Position requires driving of company van and/or personal vehicle. Must maintain a valid Arizona driver's license and appropriate liability insurance at all times. Also requires eligibility for liability coverage with EMPACT’s insurance carrier.

What you’ll provide:

High School Diploma or GED required.
Peer Certification is required.
Must self-identify as recipient of mental health services or having assisted family member in their mental health or substance abuse recovery process.
Identifying as a Military Veteran, Service Member, or Service Family Member preferred.
Effective interpersonal skills which allow for professional and positive relationships with coworkers, consumers, families and other community members.
Two years of prior experience preferred.
Effective communication skills evidenced by a non-judgmental approach.
Effective listening and positive interaction; thorough understanding of the role of family support at each stage of the recovery process.
Must have ability to effectively interpret and implement complex treatment plans based upon a wide knowledge base of available community services.
Must have Fingerprint clearance card or be eligible to obtain one.
Must have a valid AZ driver's license with no major infractions in the past three years.
Must have regular access to reliable transportation.
Bi-lingual (Spanish) Diff per hour available.
Must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment.

What you’ll do:

Are you looking for a career to help people but do not have a a degree in behavioral health. Lived experience is valuable to us as we are looking for a Peer Support Specialist. A qualified candidate will have personal experience in receiving behavioral health services, have successfully navigated through the behavioral health system, and is ready to help other on their personal journey .

The Peer Support position is a full time position which will require some evening hours. Experience working with severely mentally ill adults and the adult system of care is required. The Peer Support position serves as a bridge to ongoing services by coordinating and monitoring RBHA/Community based resources and facilitates delivery of these necessary services and support. Acts as a consumer advocate, assists consumers in the ISP process, assists in crisis intervention and outreach/engagement. The goal is to provide individuals who are voluntary and able to give informed consent, assistance in accessing services.

What you’ll provide:

Minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree in the related behavioral healthcare field or equivalent work experience preferred.
Experience working with severely mentally ill adults and the adult system of care is required.
Peer Support Certification is required.
Must be a recipient or have received services through the community behavioral health system.
Must have the ability and willingness to share their experience of receiving behavioral health services.
Must have a Fingerprint clearance card or be eligible to obtain one.
Bi-lingual (Spanish) Diff per hour available.
Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment.