Youth Peer Specialist (Part Time)
About The Position
The Youth Peer Specialist will provide social interaction, both individually and as a group, to develop social and recreational skills and to help participants develop insight into their mental illness. This role promotes recovery-oriented skills to help achieve goals created in the treatment plan. The specialist will establish linkages that result in the participant’s active use of resources in the community and assist participants in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy. They will also serve as a role model to help staff in understanding recovery and share unique experiences leading toward rehabilitation, and plan and conduct peer support groups focusing on topics related to recovery. Additionally, the role involves clinical record keeping, seeking supervision and consultation, and maintaining courteous and respectful attitudes towards participants, visitors, and co-workers. Administrative duties include participating in performance improvement activities, committees, and completing assigned tasks in a timely manner.
Requirements
- High school diploma or its equivalent
- Must be a current or former recipient of mental health services for no less than one (1) year before the age of 26 with a psychotic disorder as defined by the DSM-5
- Ability to identify as a participant of mental health services and speak openly regarding personal diagnosis and treatment
- A valid driver’s license, a good driving record, reliable transportation and verifiable vehicle liability insurance
- Ability to attend DMH-approved Peer Specialist training for certification; demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Alabama public mental health system
- Knowledge of youth/young adult specific competencies, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:
- Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the youth/young adult population
- Knowledge of cultural diversity
- Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic participants, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practices.
- Knowledge of a recovery-oriented treatment approach
- Ability to communicate effectively with multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to connect to youth/young adults and share skills and knowledge with others
Responsibilities
- Participates in one-on-one meetings or treatment team meetings to discuss ideas, difficulties, suggestions, and expectations
- Provides social interaction, both individually and as a group, to develop social and recreational skills and to help participants develop insight into their mental illness
- Promotes recovery-oriented skills to help achieve goals created in the treatment plan
- Establish linkages that result in the participant’s active use of resources in the community
- Assist participants in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy and advocates on behalf of participant when needed
- Assists staff and participants in understanding recovery and share unique experiences leading toward rehabilitation
- Serve as a role model to help staff in understanding recovery and share unique experiences leading toward rehabilitation
- Plans and conduct peer support groups focusing on topics related to recovery
- Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
- Documents legibly and in a clear and concise manner
- Documents individualized participant responses to services provided
- Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
- Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
- Actively works to enhance skills
- Attends and participates in staff meetings as required
- Treats participants with care, dignity and compassion
- Respects participant’s privacy and confidentiality
- Is pleasant and cooperative with others
- Assists participants and visitors as needed
- Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
- Is sensitive to the participant’s needs, expectations and individual differences
- Is gentle and calm with participants and families
- Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
- Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
- Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
- Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
- Attends appropriate in-services training and other workshops
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
