Peer Support Specialist

St Johns Community Health•Los Angeles, CA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the administrative supervision of the Program Manager of the SUP Program, the Peer Support Specialist is responsible for supporting the SUP team in supporting clients through service navigation. This position is responsible for outreach and providing substance use, counseling, mental health education, and peer recovery services that target persons experiencing homelessness while working in conjunction with the Street Medicine and Harm Reduction staff as well as Drop-In Center and clinic staff to coordinate client care.

Requirements

Minimum of two years’ experience in healthcare and/or harm reduction-based services, in community mental health, or related discipline
Significant knowledge of health-related issues faced by PEH.
Knowledge and understanding of HIV, viral hepatitis, overdose prevention & other areas of healthcare.
Lived expertise regarding homelessness and/or SUD/COD required.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree preferred
Bilingual in Spanish and English (preferred)

Responsibilities

Promote positive and supportive attitudes toward people experiencing homelessness (PEH) who have substance use and/or mental health problems.
Provide assistance with obtaining basic needs, navigation through SJCH’s and outside systems of care, and completing applications for housing employment, education.
Provide harm reduction/overdose prevention services.
Conduct motivational interviewing with participants to assist them with identifying their needs and strategizing to address needs.
Connect patients to MAT, HIV/HCV, housing services, transgender health, other services.
Work in tandem with Harm Reduction Program outreach team, the Street Medicine Project, and the homeless mobile medical unit.
Work with medical and behavioral health providers to ensure coordination of services and that all support service needs are met.
Accompany clients to appointments/provide advocacy.
Provide SUD counseling, peer recovery coaching, life skills development, and ongoing support once housed.
Participate in data collection activities.
Ensure necessary documentation to meet funding contract(s) performance requirements.
Link patients as needed to behavioral Maintain strict confidentiality.
Participate in meetings that are applicable to program and its growth.
Support integration of program.
Engage in multi-disciplinary team consultations to address patient well-being.
Complete required documentation of grants and programs.
Other duties may be assigned modified by supervisor as business needs dictate.