Peer Support Specialist

People Encouraging People•Rockville, MD

4d•$19 - $21

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist provides outreach to patients in the community and coordinates health services between the Agency, community, and home settings. As a full member of the team, the specialist carries out rehabilitation and support services, provides substance abuse services and education, and supports families and other identified supports. The role includes crisis intervention under the supervision of the Program Manager, coordinating weekend shifts among peers to ensure services are delivered to people in treatment, and contacting the on-call clinician when a situation requires clinical intervention. The specialist conducts client recruitment and assessment for the ACT program, coordinates and monitors client care and treatment plans, provides supportive counseling and rehabilitation, and advocates for clients. The position also educates clients and families about health and wellness topics and serves as a liaison and resource to community programs and team members. The specialist is expected to develop expertise in the ACT philosophy and maintain high fidelity to the ACT Model of Care.

Requirements

High school diploma and/or equivalent work experience.
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification required.
One to six months of on-the-job training required for efficient job performance.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Valid driver’s license.
Clean driving record.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of mental health treatment.

Responsibilities

Conduct visits to agencies, shelters, and hospitals to engage clients for the ACT program.
Screen clients upon admission to the ACT program and obtain complete psychiatric and medical health histories.
Coordinate client care and collaborate with social and community agencies, advocate for clients, and refer them to treatment facilities or community resources as needed.
Participate in community ACT Team meetings, client care conferences, clinical programs, and related activities.
Participate in providing rehabilitation services in coordination with the team.
Instruct clients and families about nutrition, medication and side effects, physical and psychiatric illnesses, dental care, substance abuse prevention, health maintenance, preventative care, diagnostic testing preparation, and prescribed treatment for acute and short-term conditions.
Provide training in communicable disease prevention and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, as needed and if credentialed.
Assess clients’ acute health problems, determine the most appropriate health care provider, and make referrals.
Act as a liaison between the Agency and community programs.
Serve as a resource for staff developing the case management role with their clients.
Provide client advocacy and appropriate resources.
Provide case management for assigned clients, including coordinating and monitoring individual treatment team activities; developing, writing, implementing, evaluating, and revising treatment goals and plans with the ITP; providing supportive counseling; assisting with symptom management; and promptly updating treatment plans as client needs change.
Educate and support clients’ families and advocate for client rights and preferences.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of all domains of a person’s life.
Provide on-call crisis intervention when assigned, including nighttime and weekend coverage.
Coordinate weekend shifts among peers to ensure service delivery to people in treatment.
Contact the on-call clinician and respond in person to situations requiring clinical intervention.
Develop expertise in the ACT philosophy and maintain high fidelity to the ACT Model of Care.