Peer Specialist

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless•Denver, CO

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless seeks a Peer Support Specialist to partner with people seeking treatment for their substance use and connect them to our Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program at the Stout Street Health Center in downtown Denver. The team of MAT Peers helps our clients stay connected and engaged by serving as a bridge to our medical providers. As people with lived experience with a substance use disorder, we have a unique ability to communicate differently and provide hope. At CCH we believe there are many pathways to recovery and provide a person-centered Harm Reduction approach to treatment. We do not run an abstinence only based program. The MAT Peers work primarily in the clinic but also do outreach in the community and provide assistance through peer support and advocacy. We meet with clients independently as well as in a group setting and help them set realistic, achievable goals that build confidence and inspire hope. By focusing on the client's strengths, the Peers promote personal accountability, growth, and recovery.

Requirements

Completion of accredited Peer Specialist training program highly preferred.
Basic Life Support Certification required within 30 days of employment.
Bi-lingual English-Spanish and/or ASL preferred
Must have and maintain in good standing, a Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of hire (with the exception of Ft. Lyon & Transitional Housing roles)
Prior peer mentoring experience serving individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and/or homelessness highly preferred.
Must be a person with lived experience including substance use disorders, homelessness support services, and/or mental health challenges with prior and/or ongoing recovery activity
Using lived experience, ability to role-model recovery
Demonstrates a clear understanding of confidentiality protocols & adheres to privacy laws/organizational policies regarding sensitive information.
Engages in meaningful & authentic interactions through active listening, trauma-informed care, and empathy that promote trust.
Recognizes professional boundaries and identifies potential conflicts of interests to maintain ethical standards in interactions with clients, coworkers, and stakeholders.
Establishes trust and rapport with individuals, even in challenging or sensitive situations, to foster openness and respect.
Actively advocates for the needs & rights of individuals/families to ensure access to necessary services, resources, and support systems identified by the clients they are serving.
Demonstrates awareness and continuously seeks to learn & apply inclusive language that respects diverse identities, backgrounds, and experiences.
Collaborates cross-departmentally with other Coalition Peer Specialists to grow & contribute to the success of program objectives, culture, & a positive working environment.
Adheres to all state, county, and organization policies/laws regarding mandatory reporting.
Ability to effectively interface and utilize technology to complete work.
Must be able to communicate effectively with others.
Must be able to remain calm, think clearly, and apply sound judgement in high-pressure situations.

Nice To Haves

Completion of accredited Peer Specialist training program
Bi-lingual English-Spanish and/or ASL
Prior peer mentoring experience serving individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and/or homelessness

Responsibilities

Provides mentorship and support to clients through personal lived experience to build skills in goal setting & problem solving with an emphasis on individual strengths, resilience, and empowerment.
Facilitates counseling and activities for clients in recovery from substance use disorders in individual or group settings to promote connection and agency.
Helps clients coordinate & navigate critical integrated services including healthcare, housing assistance, and behavioral health in partnership with internal teams & outside community partners.
Transports and/or escorts clients to scheduled appointments at Coalition properties and elsewhere as needed using a CCH vehicle or an approved personal vehicle. CCH employees must have access to reliable vehicles outside of CCH fleet.
Collaborates alongside Coalition staff to foster trusting relationships with clients and ensure services provided are timely while aligned to individual goals.
Responsible for ongoing client outreach within the community to monitor needs that are recovery-oriented.
Ensure timely & accurate recording of all clinical/non-clinical services, communications, and tasks in the EHR and other systems as required while maintaining complete up-to-date charts and any future upgrades as directed.
Performs other job duties as assigned.