PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (PROVISIONAL) - 40011450

Durham County•Durham, NC

24d•$40,528 - $53,906•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist will provide guidance and support to individuals struggling with substance abuse, psychological trauma and /or mental health issues. This position assists in implementing/creating a recovery environment and acts as an advocate for the needs and rights of the client. This position will assist Community Paramedics, Case Managers, Substance Use Disorder Counselors or Mental Health staff with getting the client connected to community resources to ensure continuity of care for their identified needs.This position work under the general supervision of the Program Manager.

Requirements

Knowledge of peer support principles, values, and ethics.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.
Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery.
Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness (i.e. auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior, thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others, isolation) and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with severe mental illness.
Excellent communication skills in writing and in oral form with the ability to interact with internal and external partners/resources.
Ability to share lived experience to support, encourage and enhance a beneficiary’s treatment and recovery.
Ability to work as a team, accept constructive criticism, and provide input and work autonomously and independently with little direct supervision.
Ability to create, implement, and execute individualized care plans related directly to an individual’s recovery.
Familiarity with community resources.
Ability to work with diverse communities.
High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
Two (2) years of experience in social work, health services, peer counseling, case management or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Lived experience with either Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder struggles and/or treatment.
Must possess and maintain valid North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) certification.
Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license with a three-year acceptable driving history.

Responsibilities

Respond to overdose calls in Durham County.
Conduct client outreach and follow-up with the clients in the community.
Conduct follow-up visits to individuals who have experienced an overdose.
Meet with clients regularly to provide one-on-one counseling and support.
Provide individualized harm reduction education and efforts to clients on overdose prevention, use of naloxone, Hepatitis C Virus, STI and HIV risk reduction and safer drug use.
Arrange medical appointments, monitor client behavior, schedule pro-social activities, and provide client transportation.
Train individuals on local overdose reversal protocol, offer harm reduction resources, and care options.
Assist clients with identifying personal strengths to help them reach and maintain recovery goals.
Model recovery values, attitude, beliefs, and personal action to encourage wellness.
Teach and promote self-advocacy and empower clients to use their legal rights.
Provide linkage to community resources.
Interact with all public agencies.
Participate in team meetings and in-person training sessions on best practices in harm reduction and complete ongoing training to maintain certification compliance.
Maintain and submit required documentation (treatment plans, service notes, etc.).
Work with community agencies to link clients to wraparound services as needed and complete and submit necessary referral paperwork.
Collect and maintain up-to-date knowledge of local resources: healthcare, treatment, and social services providers in Durham County.
Assist in community educational and outreach activities such as overdose recognition and treatment, community naloxone distribution, etc.
Performs related work as assigned.