Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist (PSS)

What began as a small clinic established by young community leaders on the West Side of Chicago in 1972 has grown into one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling and crisis intervention services, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, community and family services. We are dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs to promote the quality of life by catalyzing advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families.

Position Description – What the Role Entails:

The PSS works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing engagement services for our Wellness West clients to ensure client needs are accounted for and met, directly connecting the clients with services. The PSS is in the community, meeting our clients where they are – in their house, the hospital, or other community locations, including shelters. Their team works to assess the immediate needs of Wellness West clients, working collaboratively with other Wellness West organizations.

Company Culture
- Do Our Values Speak to You?

At Rincon, our commitment to mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity is woven into the structure of all that we do. We value:

• Dedication - Embodying effective and transparent leadership and quality client care.
• Education – Preventative programming and clinical services based on industry standards, competence and outreach.
• Accountability – Consistent service delivery, measurable success, and sensible financial management.
• Advocacy – Empowerment, reduction of treatment stigma, and relationship building with partners.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally diverse communities and equality through sensitivity to individual needs.

With these values in mind, we promote a culture that fosters professional development and agency success. Many of our employees span an extended tenure, and we pride ourselves on developing dedicated and supported team members.

Areas of Accountability
- What you will be doing:

• Attend hospital discharges of Wellness West clients and participate in the assessment with the behavioral case manager, within the required 90-minute time-frame upon referral.
• Provide, as needed, transportation to the client, bringing them home from the hospital.
• Focus on the case management and community support recovery needs of each client.
• Follow the treatment goals set in the assessment and treatment plan, created by the behavioral case manager.
• Monitor to ensure that the health and safety needs of our clients are met.
• Services and support are to be provided in ways that respect each client's dignity and are compliant with payer, licensing or accreditation procedures, or any other requirements.
• Coordinate care with other service providers, both internal and external to the agency, as appropriate and based on their Wellness West assessment.

Crisis Response

• Assists in de-escalation of clients experiencing a mental health crisis through engagement with client and coordination with team members providing clinical intervention.
• Establish rapport, share experiences, and strengthen engagement with the individual experiencing the crisis throughout all Crisis Programs.
• Role model positive recovery behaviors.
• Provides skill building and case management to clients with identified need.

Community Engagement

• Participate in outreach activities necessary to offer services, engage participation in a non-coercive manner and increase opportunities for professional development.
• Develop, maintain and establish linkages and relationships with community-based organizations to serve our clients and provide information on Wellness West services.
• Advocate for the clients and agency within the broader health and social service systems.
• Plan and document community engagement efforts in required formats.
• Some services may be in the community and pursuant to specific grant requirements.

Supervision and Oversight

• Participate in regular supervision from Wellness West, and agency supervisors as designated.
• Ensure services are delivered in accordance with the all regulatory standards.

Documentation and Compliance

• Serv…