Peer Support Specialist

McAlister Institute for Treatment & Education • El Cajon, CA

20d • Onsite

About The Position

Join McAlister Institute, a 49-year beacon in San Diego's Recovery Community. We are seeking a Peer Support Specialist who will play a crucial role in providing support and advocacy for individuals navigating their recovery journey. This position involves delivering prevention services, strength-based coaching, facilitation, and educational resources aimed at empowering beneficiaries and their families.

Requirements

• Valid state-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification.
• Self-identified experience with the recovery process from mental illness and/or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as a family member of a consumer.
• Actively model high ethical standards, maintaining confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
• Excellent rapport-building skills, attentive listening, and empathetic communication.
• Strong paperwork and computer skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team, with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Compliance with all agency and contract requirements related to training, public health, certifications, and reporting.
• Exudes a calm and competent manner, able to converse with medical professionals, lay persons, as well as persons or families and defuse crisis or high intensity situations.
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Proficient with EHR Systems (e.g., Electronic Health Records such as Welligent or SmartCare).
• Maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; effectively regulates emotions, especially under stress; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Must possess a valid and unrestricted California Driver's License, with a good driving record, free of any major infractions.
• Ability to pass all pre-employment screening, including references, education verification, a criminal background check with at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Uphold and promote the mission, philosophy, values, and direction of McAlister Institute.
• Conduct educational skill-building groups to teach coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills to beneficiaries and their families.
• Lead activities and coaching sessions to motivate beneficiaries to engage in behavioral health treatment.
• Support beneficiaries during transitions between levels of care and assist them in developing personalized recovery goals and processes.
• Provide care coordination services, including planning, accessing community resources, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and psychoeducation.
• Foster a communication style that promotes wellness, recovery, and resilience, while respecting the rights, dignity, and confidentiality of all clients.
• Maintain documentation in compliance with agency, HIPAA, 42 CFR, and funding standards, ensuring accurate and timely progress notes.
• Perform other assigned duties as needed.

Benefits

• 13 paid annual holidays, including your birthday
• 12 paid vacation days
• paid sick leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• 403(b) Retirement Plan + up to 6% Employer Match
• Health Insurance available the first of the month following 30 days of employment (Sharp)
• EAP

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed