Peer Support Specialist

Rincon Family Services•Chicago, IL

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing engagement services for Wellness West clients. The role ensures client needs are met by directly connecting them with services. The PSS operates within the community, meeting clients in their homes, hospitals, or other community locations like shelters. The team assesses immediate client needs and collaborates with other Wellness West organizations.

Requirements

Good listening, communication, and case management skills.
Able to tailor communication styles to make all clients and support structures feel safe and respected.
Understanding of basic behavioral health needs common to the community areas being served, including co-occurring disorders, and how to serve their recovery.
Understanding of internal and external community, medical, and supportive services within the community.
Ability to adapt, connect, and collaborate across differences.
Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients, and groups.
Desire to learn new skills.
Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork, efficiently and effectively.
High School Diploma or GED
Willingness to work with individuals with co-occurring disorder (MH/SUD)
Must pass pre-employment background checks, including clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
Full time use of a properly licensed and insured automobile with a valid driver’s license and ability to drive, or independence in travel arrangements.
Must adhere to the agency’s non-discrimination policies.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish
Bicultural applicants strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Attend hospital discharges of Wellness West clients and participate in the assessment with the behavioral case manager within the required 90-minute time-frame upon referral.
Provide transportation to clients, bringing them home from the hospital as needed.
Focus on the case management and community support recovery needs of each client.
Follow treatment goals set in the assessment and treatment plan created by the behavioral case manager.
Monitor to ensure that the health and safety needs of clients are met.
Provide services and support in ways that respect client dignity and comply with payer, licensing, accreditation procedures, or other requirements.
Coordinate care with other service providers, both internal and external to the agency, as appropriate and based on their Wellness West assessment.
Assist in de-escalation of clients experiencing a mental health crisis through engagement and coordination with team members providing clinical intervention.
Establish rapport, share experiences, and strengthen engagement with individuals experiencing a crisis throughout all Crisis Programs.
Role model positive recovery behaviors.
Provide skill building and case management to clients with identified needs.
Participate in outreach activities to offer services, engage participation non-coercively, and increase opportunities for professional development.
Develop, maintain, and establish linkages and relationships with community-based organizations to serve clients and provide information on Wellness West services.
Advocate for clients and the agency within the broader health and social service systems.
Plan and document community engagement efforts in required formats.
Participate in regular supervision from Wellness West and agency supervisors.
Ensure services are delivered in accordance with all regulatory standards.
Document services in client files within 48 hours of service delivery.
Maintain client records that meet documentation standards of the funder, agency, and all regulatory standards.
Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to Corporate Compliance policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security.
Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners’ and outside providers’ patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EHR access.
Complete all funder, agency, and other regulatory body required trainings.
Complete all training required to keep any licenses or certifications relevant to the position and/or any grant.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental & Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan
Generous PTO (Paid time off)- Accrue up to 21 days in Year 1, some PTO carryover allowable.
Employee Assistance Program
Professional Development Opportunities
Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits