Youth Peer Specialist (Part Time

Primary Job Functions

• Participates in one-on-one meetings or treatment team meetings to discuss ideas, difficulties, suggestions, and expectations
• Provides social interaction, both individually and as a group, to develop social and recreational skills and to help participants develop insight into their mental illness
• Promotes recovery-oriented skills to help achieve goals created in the treatment plan
• Establish linkages that result in the participant’s active use of resources in the community
• Assist participants in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy and advocates on behalf of participant when needed
• Assists staff and participants in understanding recovery and share unique experiences leading toward rehabilitation
• Serve as a role model to help staff in understanding recovery and share unique experiences leading toward rehabilitation
• Plans and conducts peer support groups focusing on topics related to recovery
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor

Clincal Record Keeping

• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents legibly and in a clear and concise manner
• Documents individualized participant responses to services provided

Supervision and Consultation

• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance skills
• Attends and participates in staff meetings as required

Courteous and respectful attitudes towards participants, visitors and co-workers:

• Treats participants with care, dignity and compassion
• Respects participant’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists participants and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the participant’s needs, expectations and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm with participants and families

Administrative and Other Related Duties Assigned:

• 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 appropriate in-services 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 before the age of 26 with a psychotic disorder as defined by the DSM-5

Ability to identify as a participant of mental health services and speak openly regarding personal diagnosis and treatment

A valid driver’s license, a good driving record, reliable transportation and verifiable vehicle liability insurance

Ability to attend DMH-approved Peer Specialist training for certification; demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Alabama public mental health system

Knowledge of youth/young adult specific competencies, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the youth/young adult population
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic participants, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practices.
• Knowledge of a recovery-oriented treatment approach
• Ability to communicate effectively with multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to connect to youth/young adults and share skills and knowledge with others