Specialist - Youth Peer

Youth Peer Specialist This position is located in Dothan, Alabama.

Shift Schedule is:
Monday/Wednesday 10:30am - 6:30pm;
Tuesday/Thursday 11am - 7:00pm;
Friday 9am - 5pm.

Hours must be flexible to meet the needs of families.

This position could occasionally include Saturday work.

POSITION SUMMARY/FUNCTION This position will be responsible for working with young adults enrolled in our organization's clinical services. The Youth Peer Provider will work closely with the Case Manager and Family Peer Provider to implement the treatment process with the young adult and their family. They must have personal experience ("lived experience") in mental health services or child welfare and be able to appropriately disclose and share that experience with young adults receiving treatment through our organization.

The Youth Peer Provider supports young adults, ages 16 - 21, by sharing their own lived experience of mental health and/or child welfare with young adults to foster hope, build resiliency, and develop self-advocacy skills that will empower them to reach their goals. Travel may be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:
1. Utilizing lived experience, the youth peer support specialist will:

Provide peer support to young adults ages 16 – 21 years of age by sharing their own experiences and building trusting relationships.

Offer support and guidance to young adults as they receive services and support from our organization.

Foster hope and approach young adults' skills from a strengths-based perspective.

Coordinate outreach and youth engagement efforts in the community at the direction of program director.

Practice culturally responsive communication and interaction with young adults and their families and/or natural supports.

Act as a resource and safe person for young adults to approach with questions, concerns, and accomplishments.

Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience.

Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.

Assist clients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self- advocacy. Utilize regular meetings, individual, and/or group sessions.

Articulate with patients what has been helpful and what not been helpful in his/her own recovery process.

Identify beliefs and values a consumer holds that works against his/her recovery.

Discern when and how much of their lived experience to share with patients.

Plan and conducts peer support groups focusing on topics related to recovery.
2. Using a formal goal setting process, the youth peer support specialist will:

Assist patients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to one and group sessions. Support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.

Assist young adults in working with treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals.
3. Maintain proper documentation in a timely manner as required by Spectra Care Policies and Procedures, Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.

Complete daily notes and regular documentation as required by Spectra Care guidelines.
4. Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals and other relevant material.

Continue to develop and share recovery-oriented material with others.

Attend relevant seminars, meetings, and in-service trainings as approved.

Attend continuing education sessions when offered by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
5. Provide linkage to broad range of community-based service and natural support.

Connect young adults to community supports, natural supports, and/or additional programs.
6. Assist with crisis intervention as needed.
7. Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Treats recipients with respect and courtesy at all times.

Serve as a liaison and advocate for Spectra Care recipients with community agencies and the public.

Actively participates in committees as required.

Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.

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