Certified Peer Support Specialist/Trainee - Consumer

County of Riverside•Throughout Riverside County, CA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health is recruiting for multiple Certified Peer Support Specialists/Trainee – Consumers to support a variety of programs. This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies across multiple locations throughout Riverside County. In this role, Peer Support Specialists/Trainee Consumers provide support, encouragement, and guidance to individuals receiving behavioral health services by drawing on their own lived experience with recovery. They assist individuals with navigating services, accessing community resources, developing coping strategies, and working toward personal goals. Incumbents share their recovery experiences, when appropriate, to inspire hope, promote resilience, and strengthen engagement in treatment. They also collaborate with clinical teams by offering the consumer perspective, advocate for individual needs, support system navigation, and complete required documentation while participating in ongoing training and supervision. Competitive candidates will possess current or previous experience as a consumer of behavioral health or substance recovery services for a minimum of one year. Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. Some positions may require a law enforcement background investigation which requires completion of an extensive questionnaire, meeting with a background investigator, and submitting several references.

Requirements

Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate is required.
Depending on the assignment, current or previous recovery experience as a consumer of behavioral health and/or substance abuse services or as a family member/caregiver of a former or current behavioral health and/or substance abuse consumer.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained within two (2) years of the employee start date. Failure to obtain a Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification may lead to termination.
Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.
Spanish Bilingual exam may be required.
Knowledge of the basic needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers, caregivers and families of behavioral health and/or substance abuse consumers; the public and/or private agency services available for families, children and adults with serious behavioral health needs, such as schools, social services and other systems.
Ability to learn the basic principles of the behavioral health system and effectively work within the system; represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and behavioral health system; understand the cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns; effectively communicate the workings of the behavioral health system to service consumers, parents, family members, and caregivers; establish and maintain working relationships with a wide range of community agencies and organizations; obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.
California State Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification. A valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained prior to the employment start date.
Employees holding a Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be re-certified every two (2) years. Failure to maintain a valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification may lead to termination.
Knowledge of the self-help and consumer oriented treatment models; and methods to effectively communicate with consumers, families and caregivers, the community and the behavioral health treatment team.
Ability to understand the principles of the behavioral health system and effectively work within the system; effectively represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and behavioral health system; understand and articulate the cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns; effectively communicate the workings of the behavioral health system to service consumers, parents, family members and caregivers; establish and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of community agencies and organizations; obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.

Nice To Haves

Spanish Bilingual exam may be required.

Responsibilities

Provide meaningful self-disclosure of personal lived experience of behavioral health-related or substance abuse-related recovery and resiliency to the people served in the system of care (required by State Certification).
Inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families and caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.
Communicate, represent and promote the consumer, families and caregivers' perspective within the behavioral health system.
Facilitate self-help groups for clients, youth, family members, and caregivers.
Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings within the behavioral health system and in the community.
Develop activities, programs and resources which support consumers, families and caregivers in achieving their goals.
Supports the appropriate recognition, acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.
Develop effective working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family and caregiver empowerment.
Help prepare and support clients, families and caregivers at consumer progress consultation meetings and at a variety of formal and informal hearings.
Help consumers and those who support them to articulate their needs.
Focus on and is sensitive to consumer, family and caregiver satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with behavioral health services.
Assist and promote consumers and those who support them in support networks and activities.
Document all activities as required, following appropriate Medi-Cal billing practices.