Peer Specialist (IBH) (Finance)

Base pay: $23.06-$28.83/hr
JOB SUMMARY
Peer Specialist can relate to others in a non-clinical, more personal way as they have a similar lived experience. Peers are positive role models and offer hope to others, demonstrating by their own life that recovery is possible. Under supervision of the Integrated Behavioral Health Director, the Peer Specialist will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as an advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for patients in outpatient and inpatient settings. The Peer Specialist performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages, from young adult to old age, in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Recovery resources such as booklets, pamphlets and other written materials will be utilized by the Peer Specialist in the provision of services.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience.
Assist patients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. During these sessions the Peer Specialist will support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.
Assist patients in working with their case manager or treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery.
Assist patients in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.
Utilize tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to assist patients in creating their own individual wellness and recovery plans.
Independently or with periodic assistance of higher graded treatment team members, utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups. The Peer Specialist will share their own experiences and what skills, strengths, supports and resources they use.
Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach patients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and Peer Specialist to share their experiences.
Support patient's vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips.
Assist clients in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
Assist in obtaining services that suit that individual's recovery needs by providing names of staff, community resources and groups that may be useful. Inform patients about community and natural supports and how to use these in the recovery process.
Assist patients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy. This will be accomplished through regular meetings, individual or group sessions. Through the use of role playing/modeling techniques the Peer Specialist provides opportunities for others to show/demonstrate how they have handled similar problems, how to present themselves in certain situations, or how to handle problems that may arise in interactions with others.
Provide Program Outreach by representing SCHC and its Integrated Behavioral Health Program in the community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized recovery processes.
Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem solving strategies to support individual patients in self-directed recovery.
Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of substance use disorders (taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than meant to, wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to, spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance, cravings and urges to use the substance) and the ability to assist the patient to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with severe substance use disorders.
The Peer Specialist may accompany patients to community resources to assist them in accessing these resources.
Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from the substance use consumers on their strengths and interests.
A valid driver's license is required as some driving and/or transportation may be required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma
Must have a minimum one year of recovery from lived experience in substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders (self-attested).