BHW Peer Specialist

Description

A Behavioral Health Worker/Peer provides services to individuals and families requiring assistance in dealing with behavioral health or substance use problems, including alcohol and/or drug use. Focus on use of lived experience from mental illness and/or addiction, in addition to skills acquired from formal training to deliver services in behavioral health and crisis settings.

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Works closely as a part of a clinical team, coordinating client interactions with the team and following the client treatment plan, with supervision.
• Works with inpatient clients as well as responds to crisis calls in the community.
• Maintains a professional demeanor and confidentiality during the problem-solving process.
• Develops and co-facilitates educational activities with designated clients and families.
• Facilitates strength-based recovery group meetings for clientele.
• Schedules and coordinates appointments for clients with clinicians’ assistance.
• Serves as a source of general information regarding recovery for mental health and substance abuse issues.
• Performs various advocacy or peer support tasks as assigned.
• Performs basic physical care procedures such as taking vital signs, assisting with physical exams, and feeding patients.
• Closely observes and assesses client’s behavioral health status and provides evidence-based intervention strategies.
• Refers to Clinicians or Care Coordinator's for follow up as needed.
• Provides concrete support to clients and ensures safety plans are implemented.
• Works as part of a team of clinicians, specialists, care coordinator's and psychiatric providers.
• Documents all patient contacts and other clinical information in the health record system.
• Provides community outreach and education.
• Participates in job-related training sessions and seminars.
• Attends required staff meetings.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance of assigned work shifts.
• Transports or arranges for transportation as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Knowledge of Mental Health/ Substance Use Disorders.
• Possesses good communication skills.
• Understands client rights, confidentiality, ethics and roles.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and recognize potential risks.
• Ability to model appropriate use of personal story and self-disclosure.
• Ability to accept diversity and understand cultural competency.
• Understands the principals and concepts of trauma, resiliency, recovery and wellness orientated lifestyle.
• Ability to demonstrate and teach wellness life skills.
• Ability to encourage the development of natural supports.
• Possesses willingness to seek supervision and/or ask for direction.
• Possesses conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to learn, teach, and implement evidence-based practice material and curriculum, as appropriate for specified clinical needs.
• Ability to demonstrate organization, time management and prioritizing skills.
• Ability to manage relationships in a constructive and positive manner.
• Education or Formal Training:
• High School Diploma and ability to successfully demonstrate reading, writing, and speaking skill.

Additional Requirements:

• Work Schedule:
  
  Ability to work three 12-hour day shifts (7am - 7:30pm) and 5 on call night shifts (7:00pm - 7:30am) per month.

• Employer-paid Life insurance
• Medical and behavioral health benefits
• Dental
• Vision
• Optiona…