Peer Specialist

Care Resource Community Health Centers, Inc.•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Peer Specialist provides individualized, ongoing guidance, coaching, and support to people receiving services. The role helps individuals use personal and community resources, develop formal and informal support, expand social networks, and access encouragement during crises. The Peer Specialist advocates for people with behavioral health problems, supports their rights, and helps reduce stigma. The position works cooperatively with Behavioral Health and Medical teams, family members, and significant others involved in a client’s recovery plan. The role also includes attending agency meetings, case conferences, and individual and group supervision; meeting productivity standards; protecting confidential clinical and treatment information; understanding client rights and agency policies; participating in staff training and development; serving on designated committees; and maintaining professional and ethical standards. The position contributes to health center development activities as requested and performs other related duties as assigned. The Peer Specialist is expected to follow the organization’s service culture, including compassionate, competent, and committed service, and to carry out assigned safety responsibilities. Travel to community resources is expected. Work is usually performed in an office setting.

Requirements

High school diploma.
More than one year in recovery.
Ability to build positive rapport with individuals with substance use disorder, including individuals who may be actively using.
Knowledge of community substance use disorder services.
Ability to involve multiple providers and services with clients.
Ability to communicate effectively with all parties involved.
Peer certification is required within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized, ongoing guidance, coaching, and support.
Train individuals in the use of personal and community resources.
Assist in developing formal and informal community support.
Help individuals increase social support networks of relatives, friends, and significant others.
Offer encouragement during times of crisis.
Advocate for people with behavioral health problems to protect client rights and help reduce associated stigma.
Work cooperatively with Behavioral Health and Medical teams, family members, and significant others involved in the client’s recovery plan.
Attend agency staff meetings, case conferences, and individual and group supervision.
Meet established productivity standards.
Maintain confidentiality of clinical information and treatment when working internally and with external agencies or individuals.
Understand client rights, policies, and procedures.
Participate in staff training and development.
Serve on designated agency committees.
Maintain professional standards and follow the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Follow service expectations by listening attentively, providing appropriate options or resolutions, following established protocols, seeking help when needed, anticipating customer needs, and following up.
Follow CDC handwashing guidelines and understand and act on assigned responsibilities in the Emergency Code System and Continuity of Operations Plan.
Participate in health center developmental activities as requested.
Travel to community resources.
Perform other related duties as assigned.