Peer Support Specialist

WESTCARE INC • Key Largo, FL

21d • $20 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist supports medical services for individuals receiving outpatient mental health services. The role assists with treatment plans and reviews, patient assistance programs, IDP and outcomes, authorization overrides, follow-ups, state paperwork, and referrals. The Specialist conducts face-to-face visits and handles medical-service-related telephone calls. Drawing on the consumer perspective, the Specialist supports recovery and empowers clients.

The position serves on the Comprehensive Care Team and helps develop and implement person-centered Wellness and Recovery plans addressing clinical and non-clinical health-care needs. It also provides peer support, health promotion, referrals and community linkages, psycho-educational activities, documentation, follow-up assessments, case conference participation, training, and performance improvement activities. Work is primarily performed in a residential treatment setting.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current recipient of behavioral health services with a minimum of two years in recovery (mental health and, if applicable, substance abuse).
• Current Peer Certification as CPPS and/or CPRS from the Florida Certification Board, or ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.
• HIV/AIDS 104 Basic Education and valid CPR certificates.
• Complete 20 hours of continuing education annually.
• Medical terminology knowledge and understanding, written and verbal communication skills, and administrative and clerical skills.
• Knowledge of theoretical and practical concepts of individual, group, and family behavior.
• Ability to deal with crisis situations and react appropriately in a medical or psychiatric emergency.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion during medical or psychiatric crises.
• Ability to manage change, achieve results, expedite a high volume of detailed work, prepare clear and precise reports, and follow and interpret instructions.
• Ability to identify, prioritize, and follow through on assignments appropriately and efficiently.
• Working knowledge of reimbursement-related rules and requirements.
• Knowledge of incident reporting, HIPAA, professional ethics, client rights, and confidentiality.
• Ability to respect clients, communicate so they understand, and interact respectfully and collegially with staff.
• Ability to seek direction from a supervisor when appropriate and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of WestCare’s mission, goals, and values, and familiarity with WestCare services and programs.
• Understanding of cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender, and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention, and treatment.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and clients and respect individual cultural and ethnic values.
• Ability to use trauma-informed care principles, identify and describe trauma signs and effects, distinguish trauma-informed from trauma-specific services, and understand relationships among trauma, substance use, and mental disorders.
• Understanding of different forms of abuse and trauma, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; domestic violence; war experiences; natural disasters; and community violence.
• Dependability, good attendance, observance of working hours, flexibility, responsiveness to supervisor requests, good workmanship, integrity, productive use of work time, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, coworkers, external partners, and regulatory agencies; be courteous and tactful; cooperate with others; and accept direction and supervision.
• Professional demeanor and presentation.
• Ability to work and cooperate with clients, coworkers, managers, the public, and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.
• Ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings and manage program time demands and deadlines.
• Ability to perform the essential duties with or without accommodation, including occasional lifting or carrying over 20 pounds, occasional twisting or turning, and use of computer and telephone systems requiring hand-eye coordination and fine hand manipulation.
• Ability to talk, hear, and see as required to communicate, receive detailed information, complete paperwork, and observe activities.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s-level degree preferred.
• Training and/or experience in crisis intervention preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Comprehensive Care Team (CCT).
• Participate in developing person-centered Wellness and Recovery plans that integrate clinical and non-clinical health-care needs and services with the individual and CCT.
• Encourage and support peers in achieving the goals in their Wellness and Recovery plans.
• Support and encourage peers to be effective self-advocates.
• Promote and encourage recovery based on SAMHSA’s Guiding Principles of Recovery.
• Use Motivational Interviewing strategies to engage service recipients.
• Apply Collaborative Care techniques presented in the IMPACT model of integrated healthcare.
• Provide health promotion activities to individuals with SMI and encourage participation in available community health promotion activities.
• Assist and support clients with referrals and links to community and social support services.
• Facilitate individual and group psycho-educational activities using the approved Solutions for Wellness and Team Solutions curricula.
• Document services provided to clients in the medical record.
• Locate PBHCI clients and conduct follow-up NOMS assessments when due.
• Participate in case conferences, required training including e-learning, and Performance Improvement activities.
• Assist with treatment plans and reviews, patient assistance programs, IDP and outcomes, authorization overrides, follow-ups, state paperwork, and referrals.
• Conduct face-to-face visits and handle medical-service-related telephone calls with individuals receiving outpatient mental health services.
• Complete orientation and mandated training activities, including e-learning courses, within required timeframes and established criteria.
• Embrace and embody WestCare Foundation’s mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with statutory requirements and professional and ethical responsibilities.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work area and follow agency safety and incident-reporting procedures.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED