Peer Specialist

Solvista Health•Canon City, CO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist uses their own lived experience of recovery from mental illness and/or addiction, in addition to skills acquired from formal training, to deliver services in behavioral health settings. Their role is to promote the recovery and resiliency of others by performing a wide variety of non-clinical tasks to assist clients in regaining control over their own lives and the recovery process. This role requires the ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations made for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Possesses personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to organization’s mission.
Ability to comprehend and adhere to company and department practices, policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Ability to operate phone, computer, and other office equipment.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite of programs, specifically Word and Outlook.
Ability to communicate professionally, speak, read, write, interpret and follow instructions in English.
Ability to work and interact professionally with a diverse population of groups and individuals.
Ability to engage with clients under all circumstances in a calm, professional, friendly and patient manner.
Ability to respond timely and effectively to challenging or emergency situations.
Possess effective time-management, prioritization and organizational skills to ensure work is completed accurately and timely.
Ability to work independently and as an effective member of a team.
Ability to accurately type, track and record important details.
Knowledgeable of mental illness and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) from academic study and prior work experience.
Ability to provide perspective in the development of treatment plans.
Knowledgeable of culture and culture identity as it pertains to communication.
Knowledgeable of current research practices and trends mental health and SUD.
Ability to interpret and translate clinical policies and procedures in support of ethical practice for peer specialists.
Knowledgeable of ADA, HIPAA, 42CFR
High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of a Peer/Advocacy Training program (Peer Certification).
3 years of experience in a human services field.
Bachelor’s degree in health, social science or combination of education and experience (2 years of experience for 1 year of education).
5 years of experience in a human services field.

Responsibilities

Ensures clients are fully educated on their rights.
Advocates for clients by reporting unresolved issues.
Improves client service experiences to promote engaged clients.
Supports clients in the process of resolving complaints.
Attends local recovery meetings.
Develops and oversees advocacy and peer support activities at the outlying offices.
Develops and co-facilitates education activities with designated clients and families.
Facilitates strength-based recovery group meetings for adult clientele.
Maintains a professional demeanor and confidentiality during the problem-solving process involving clients and co-workers.
Schedules and coordinates appointments for clients with clinicians.
Serves as a source of general information regarding recovery for mental health and substance abuse issues.
Participates in required training and attends staff meetings.
Maintains a regular and predictable attendance of assigned work shifts.
Performs various advocacy or peer support tasks as assigned.
Works closely as a part of a clinical team, coordinating client interactions with the team and following the client treatment plan, with supervision.
Uses system data to make decisions in client advocacy and activity facilitation in the best interests of the clients.
Communicates peer perspective with diverse clinical team members.
Provides consultation and support to other peer specialists regarding ethical decision-making, advocacy boundary challenges as needed.
Reviews peer specialist documentation and provide training as needed to build skill level.
Participates in treatment plan development as required.
Participates in activities and initiatives to eliminate prejudice and discrimination surrounding mental illness and or substance use disorders.
Facilitates recovery focused support groups.
Assists in the coordination of department goals and work assignments of other peer specialists.
Helps frame questions for analysis, provides input into report design and reports and extrapolates system data to provide data-based input for department-level decisions related to client advocacy and engagement activities.
Helps set department goals, provides input for budget, staffing, and assignments in support of department leaders.
Oversees peer specialist documentation in support of department revenue targets.
Represents the agency at local and state events to positively impact policy-making efforts.
Works with community partners to conduct needs assessments and identify resources regarding client service needs.
Designs and/or participates in small studies to build peer specialist-based knowledge.
Utilizes experience and education to design client intervention strategies.
Trains and supervises peer specialist regarding the integration of symptoms/behaviors with client recovery goals.

Benefits

Employer-paid Life insurance
Medical and behavioral health benefits
Dental
Vision
6% employer match retirement, 100% vested after just one year
Flexible spending plans for health, dependent, and elder care
Optional Health Savings Account plan with employer contributions
Generous paid time off benefit
Up to 10 paid holidays
Paid Sick time
Progressive skills enhancement training
Reimbursements
Monthly stipend for fitness club membership
Discounted membership for Crossfit Cañon City and HRRMC Wellness U Staff Gym in Salida
Clinical licensure reimbursement
Student loan repayment programs are available through: National Health Service Corps Active Sites, Nurse Corps Active Sites, NHSC STAR LRP Active Sites, Colorado Health Service Corps Public Student Loan Forgiveness