Peer Support Specialist (52846)

DescriptionPosition Summary

The Peer Support Specialist assists individuals/families with substance abuse and/or mental health diagnoses. Assists in developing skills and competencies needed to successfully build a personal support network and to live and work competitively in the community. The role of the Peer Support Specialist is to provide recovery support, consumer education, consumer intervention, and consumer advocacy. The Peer Support Specialist also provides the consumer perspective to recovery and empowers the consumer.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide recovery support to consumers
• Conducts skills building groups and other activities as assigned by the supervisor
• Acts as an appropriate role model for consumers
• Advocate for and support children and families in a caring and respectful manner.
• Provides coaching and mentoring services to consumers as assigned by the supervisor
• Serve as a family/individual representative and advocate in program/agency activities.
• Assist in the facilitation of individual/family support and educational groups.
• Provide Peer support to individuals/families by using personal and professional life experiences.
• Work in partnership with the case manager provider to link individuals/families to needed services.
• Respond to the cultural and linguistic needs and preferences of individuals/families, stakeholders and system partners.
• Assist individuals/families to identify and build natural supports as well as self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills.
• Help individuals/families identify strengths and recognize successes to promote self-esteem and empowerment.
• Actively promote and educate individuals/families on program is and availability peer support services at any point in treatment.
• Assist individuals/families to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan when needed.
• Document one-to-one sessions, telephone calls and/or visits with families/individuals to reflect their supportive role.
• Provide peer support services to additional populations, as needed
• Participate in case conference

Understands HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality

Participate in performance improvement activities

Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.

Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position.

Perform any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

Certifications/Licensures

Certification as a certified peer specialist in good standing and recognized by the Florida Certification Board is preferred at time of hire. Peer certification can be completed via ongoing coaching and training on–site within 1 year of hiring date If the Peer Support Specialist is certified, he/she must comply with annual CEU requirements.; Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently certified;

Education

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred;
• High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of college-level education is required.

Experience and Competencies

Must be a parent/caregiver of a child recipient of public or private mental health, substance abuse and/or child welfare related services or have personally been the recipient of said services.

If engaged in own recovery, must be for a minimum of two years demonstrated by an effort of self-directed recovery. May not be a current recipient of residential care.

Experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental health/ substance abuse population is preferred

Must have reliable means of transportation

Must have availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.

Must have familiarity with Miami-Dade County.

Maintains confidential files and records.

Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form with consumers, peers, and staff

Demonstrates good reliability in attendance

Demonstrates an ability to meet deadlines and to complete tasks

Ability to use time efficiently

Ability to follow policies and procedures

Ability to respond appropriately to supervisory directives or negotiate appropriately

Knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate ethical principles and practices

Ability to recognize and maintain appropriate boundaries with consumers, peers, staff, and supervisors

Ability to treat others with dignity and respect

Understanding of federal, state, and agency standards regarding the confidentiality of consumer information and the ability to maintain confidential information

The ability to identify the needs of a consumer that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer to utilize the support systems and community resources available.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret agency and grant required documents

Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints

Ability to read, write and speak English as well as Spanish and/or Creole is preferred.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence as well as speak effectively before groups (family, youth, staff and community) is preferred

Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts.

Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values

Knowledge of Incident Reporting

Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality

Familiarity with WestCare services and programs

The ability to identify the needs of a consumer that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer to utilize the support systems and community resources available.

Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers

Demonstrated respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting with staff and consumers

Articulates a working definition of trauma

Understands the impact of trauma

Understands re-traumatization

Ability to create a safe, welcoming physical, supportive, and relational environment for consumers and staff

Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.

Maintains a good attendance record.

Observes working hours

Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor

Works independently with minimal supervision

Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job

Work time is always productive

Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies

Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.

Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.

Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.

Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision

Maintains a positive attitude toward work

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