Peer Support Specialist

INTERNAL UNION APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN FIRST CONSIDERATION FOR UNION POSITIONS

Under the supervision of a qualified professional Health Services Supervisor is responsible for providing peer support services, consumer advocacy and support. The Peer Support Specialist, as a self identified individual in recovery assists consumers in regaining control over their lives and over their own recovery process. The Peer Support Specialist performs direct services to individuals with a mental illness, developmental disability, co-occurring disorder and to individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for assisting qualified mental health clinicians in the completion of clinical assessment, development and maintenance of Person Centered Plans of Service, coordination and monitoring of consumer services, directly assisting consumers in achieving desired outcomes and documenting consumer progress. In addition, the Peer Support Specialist delivers evidence based practice interventions under the direction of a qualified mental health clinician.

The Peer Support Specialist will be assigned additional duties specifically related to the program they serve.

• Provides direct support to consumers with a mental illness, developmental disability and/or co-occurring disorder.
• Coordinates and collaborates with a consumer
  ¿ s network of care, including primary healthcare, family and natural supports.
• Uses experiences with personal recovery in assisting and supporting the team and clients.
• Enhances the clinical team decision making by assuring consumer voice and choice is included in planning.
• Promotes recovery through role modeling and sharing experiences, providing hope and encouragement and connection to the community.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of client service plans.
• Assists consumers to identify recovery goals and set objectives.
• May accompany staff on outreaches to engage individuals and build a trusting relationship that will lead to treatment and recovery
• Understands and utilizes specific interventions necessary to assist consumers in meeting their recovery goals.
• Assist consumers in resolving interpersonal conflicts in their environment.
• Teaches skills needed to increase independence in the areas of work skills, safety skills, social skills, finding and maintaining housing, and receiving and maintaining benefits.
• Helps consumers to aspire to roles which emphasize their strengths by sharing first hand experiences in their own recovery journey.
• Assist consumers with the development of critical life skills.
• Provides supportive counseling.

• Assists in systems advocacy to secure needed services for the clients from any service provider either internal or external to the Community Mental Health system.
• Provides support and education regarding mental illness and the stigma associated to mental illness.
• Provides education to consumers about their rights, and about navigating the mental health system.
• Maintains consumer confidentiality and adherence to HIPPA requirements at all times.
• Maintains compliance with all applicable practice standards and guidelines.
• Completes all required documentation in a timely manner consistent with agency guidelines.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness of the role of culture in the delivery of services.

• Fosters and promotes the organization's mission, vision and goals.
• Demonstrates alignment with the organization
  ¿ s vision and mission.
• Participates in continuing education activities to further enhancement of services.
• Represents the agency in the…