Peer Specialist, Part Time (Crisis Center)

AltaPointe Health•Mobile, AL

About The Position

The Peer Specialist works in the Behavioral Health Crisis Center, a 24/7/365 facility providing crisis de-escalation and resolution. The role draws on personal experience to support individuals’ recovery, self-determination, self-advocacy, wellness, and community connections. The specialist helps individuals make informed choices, develop goals and crisis plans, access benefits and services, and overcome barriers to recovery. The position also includes maintaining confidential service documentation, collaborating with treatment teams and staff, and participating in organizational activities and training.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Peer Specialist Certification through the State of Alabama Department of Mental Health.
At least 23 years of age.
Valid Alabama driver license, acceptable driving record, and proof of current liability insurance.
Ability to work effectively as a team player.
Attain within six months of employment knowledge of adult psychiatric disorders, cultural diversity, behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions for acute psychosis, non-violent crisis intervention practices, psychiatric rehabilitation principles, community employment resources, and educational methods appropriate for adults with psychiatric disorders.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing employment services.
Knowledge of the work world.

Responsibilities

Promote self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction; help individuals identify strengths, wellness goals, objectives, and barriers.
Attend treatment team meetings with individuals and support self-directed advocacy, goal planning, and learning how to request appropriate community services.
Help individuals obtain information about benefits such as SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid.
Engage individuals in outpatient programs and services to encourage recovery.
Model self-advocacy skills and share personal experience to demonstrate ways to choose, obtain, and maintain stability.
Teach wellness management strategies and help individuals develop self-management plans and tools, using approaches such as IMR/WMR and WRAP.
Connect individuals with community support groups to promote hope, peer learning, problem-solving, and reduced social isolation.
Educate staff about self-advocacy and peer support and promote respect for individuals’ perspectives and preferences in service delivery.
Provide resources and teach transportation skills, including how to use bus routes.
Support informed decisions about treatment, housing, benefits, and community connections.
Help individuals develop crisis and safety plans, build community social skills, overcome recovery barriers, and address challenges.
Help obtain documentation needed for benefits, employment, and housing, and assist individuals with paperwork.
Explore individuals’ aspirations and lead recovery support groups and NA/AA meetings with job seekers when appropriate.
Seek supervision and consultation as needed and accept and apply suggestions for improvement.
Maintain confidential files and service documentation, including timely documentation meeting requirements of Medicaid and other funding sources.
Treat consumers, visitors, and coworkers with courtesy, dignity, compassion, respect, and sensitivity; protect consumer privacy and confidentiality and assist consumers and visitors as needed.
Participate in Performance Improvement activities and required AltaPointe committees; complete assigned tasks on time, follow policies and procedures, and attend required training and workshops.