Peer Support Specialist

RiverStone Health•Billings, MT

1d•$20 - $25

About The Position

The Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) is a person in recovery who uses their lived experience to support, mentor, and encourage high-risk patients who are at risk for poor health outcomes and those living without housing. The CPSS will act as a member of the Patient Care Team for coordination of care, identify barriers to care, assess their individual needs and providing education on understanding the interplay between physical health, mental health, social issues and resource needs. Under the supervision of licensed behavioral health and medical providers, the CPSS position will provide strengths-based, trauma-informed, person-centered support following the Montana Peer Network code of ethics and state certification requirements. This position will be housed at the Healthcare for the Homeless location 21 S 29th Street.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent
Completed a state approved Peer Support Training program and obtained Certification or willing to complete within 6 months of hire date
Any combination of experience and training which provide the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work
Must have vehicle in good working condition and demonstrate proof of insurance coverage
Valid Montana driver’s license
Certified Peer Support
Computer literacy, in Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality
Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment
Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult client/patient interactions
Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills
Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity when providing care and services to patients, maintain awareness of social and/or medical issues, and a willingness to work with underserved, under- or un-insured, and low-income patients, treating each with dignity and respect
Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language as appropriate to the situation.
Knowledge of ethics pertaining to peer support work.
Ability to learn skills of trauma informed care principles and motivational learning skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with underserved population
Experience working in a customer service environment

Responsibilities

Meeting patients where they are, includes street medicine and community outreach for the unhoused population.
Provide emotional, informational, instrumental, and affiliation support services to patients. Assist patients in setting recovery and goals and action plans.
Work with each patient to identify and develop individualized personal long term and short-term goals such as improving therapeutic outcomes and development towards independence.
Provides crisis assistance to patients while in clinic and street medicine by accessing local programs, Community service providers and agencies to meet patient’s needs.
Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, criminal justice, or regulatory agencies.
Identify and refer clients to appropriate community resources and programs to ensure a full array of services are available to all patients.
Respond to patient’s questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
Provides guidance for patients that need help navigating the healthcare system and who may not qualify for health insurance or financial assistance programs.
Maintains proficiency in computer skills to include eCW, HIMIS, email, word, excel programs. Utilize an electronic medical record to retrieve patient information and to develop and enter patient data into a computer database and/or spreadsheet.
Significant knowledge of community resources, services and programs available to assist clients.
Uses community platforms to identify patient population and stay current in community
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agency, organization and tribal entity representatives.
Participates in various community events by representing RiverStone Health Clinic and provide accurate information regarding Clinic services available.
Acts as an advocate for the patient within the patient care team and other community support services and organizations.
Participate in and attend meetings, conferences, workshops and trainings to remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in healthcare.
Works collaboratively with other Healthcare for the Homeless team members to conduct outreach in the community, focusing on those who are experiencing homelessness.
Displays appropriate, professional, healthy boundaries and exercises mature judgment and understanding of safety concerns.
Initiated contact with persons experiencing homelessness, provides information about services and identifies barriers to care as well as opportunities to overcome barriers.
Provides education, guidance and follow-up to persons experiencing homelessness and makes appropriate referrals to other services or agencies in coordination with others on the HealthCare for the Homeless care team.
Provide Support at Satellite Clinics for access to resources and planning. Including enrolling patients for services, answering phone, greeting patients, and aiding patients in all requirements to become patients at Riverstone Health.
Keep immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of RiverStone’s mission and goals.