SMI Peer Support Specialist EMPACT

La Frontera Center Inc.•San Tan Valley, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center, part of the La Frontera family, is a nonprofit behavioral health organization providing counseling, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services. The SMI Peer Support Specialist models ways to navigate the behavioral health system and community programs, serving as a system guide and advocate. The specialist provides direct support to individuals served and participates as an active member of the Adult Recovery Team. The role involves helping individuals develop and implement self-directed recovery plans by drawing on personal experience, offering support and reassurance, teaching self-management techniques, and following up on identified needs. The specialist connects individuals to community supports and resources, assists with applications, appointments, and scheduling, and collaborates with team members to identify and remove barriers to services. Services are strengths-based, community-based, and culturally competent. The position delivers 40 hours of work per week, with a goal of 30 hours of direct client contact, including case management as needed. Evening and weekend hours may be required to accommodate individuals’ schedules. The specialist attends meetings, trainings, and regular weekly supervision, and develops relationships with community-based and RHBA resources. The work may take place indoors in an office, in the community, or in a member’s home, and requires driving a company van and/or personal vehicle.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Peer Support Certification; must be eligible to obtain a Peer Support Specialist Certificate.
Must be a recipient of, or have received services through, the community behavioral health system.
Ability and willingness to share personal experience receiving behavioral health services.
Strong attention to detail.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proactive and independent, with the ability to take initiative.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent time management skills and a proven ability to meet deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Valid Arizona driver license with no major infractions in the past three years; a three-year state driving record with no major infractions or excessive driving violations/tickets is required at hire.
Must have or be eligible to obtain a fingerprint clearance card.
Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment.
Ability to remain calm in crisis situations, work independently and cooperatively, recognize personal limitations, and relate positively and empathetically to people regardless of age, race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation.
Maintain professional conduct consistent with ethical practice and agency policies and procedures.
If driving on agency time or business, maintain appropriate liability insurance for personal vehicle and obtain approval for liability coverage with the agency’s insurance carrier.
Maintain a valid Arizona driver license and liability insurance for a personal vehicle when applicable.

Responsibilities

Assist individuals served in developing and implementing self-directed recovery plans using personal experience, support, self-management techniques, and reassurance.
Follow up on and assist with needs identified in recovery plans.
Locate and orient individuals to informal community supports and help connect them with those supports.
Assist with applications for community resources as needed.
Participate with team members and agency staff in identifying and removing barriers within the behavioral health system.
Provide strengths-based, community-based, and culturally competent services.
Work 40 hours per week, with a goal of 30 hours of direct client contact, including case management as needed.
Attend meetings and trainings as requested.
Attend regular weekly supervision and seek additional supervision as needed.
Develop and collaborate with a network of community-based and RHBA resources.
Know how to access social and behavioral health community services, including food, clothing, support services, and crisis stabilization or transition services.
Make appointments, assist with scheduling, and arrange SMI evaluations when applicable.
Maintain professional conduct and positive working relationships with internal and external team members, stakeholders, and community and business partners.
When driving on agency time or business, maintain a valid Arizona driver license and appropriate liability insurance and obtain approval for liability coverage with the agency’s insurance carrier.