Substance Abuse Peer Specialist; Certified Recovery Support Specialist

Primary Job Function and Responsibilities

• Promotes self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction; assisting individuals in identifying strengths; wellness goals; setting objectives and identifying barriers
• Works collaboratively with AHS team members and outside entities
• Provides individual and group peer support work with individuals
• Helps consumers with community advocacy and outside resource linkages assisting individuals in obtaining community resources when needs are identified
• Conducts outreach in a variety of settings to engage adults who are homeless and have a substance use disorder
• Completes and submits required documentation in a timely manner
• Transports clients when appropriate and necessary
• Assists in connecting clients to support groups in the community to learn from other peers, to promote hope, to problem-solve through work situations, and to decrease social isolation
• Offers hope and encouragement by serving as a role model in recovery.
• Makes multiple contacts to consumers per week as needed while maintaining healthy professional boundaries with consumers

• Documents in a timely fashion per AHS policy.
• Documents measurable and specific goals in the individualized service plan.
• Documents in a clear and concise manner, types of consumer problems, and services provided after every contact.
• Documents case disposition, case closings, follow- up and referrals.

• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.

• Maintains confidential files containing required information for each supported employment client.
• Maintains documentation for those individuals receiving services.
• Provides timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, and others.

• Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needs.
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards, 100 hours for Peer Support Position.

• Treats consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality.
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed.
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others.
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences.
• Is gentle and calm with consumers 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 to required in-service training and other workshops.

High school diploma or its equivalent; must be a current or former recipient of mental health services for no less than one (1) year; ability to identify as a consumer of mental health services and speak openly regarding personal diagnosis and treatment; must have two consecutive years in Substance Abuse Recovery and be comfortable self-identifying as being in recovery; a valid, verifiable driver’s license, a good driving record, reliable transportation and verifiable vehicle liability insurance;

ability to attend out-of-town Peer Specialist training for certification; demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Alabama public mental health system; knowledge of adult specific competencies, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practices.
• Knowledge of Psychiatric Rehabilitation principles
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders