Peer Specialist, Chatom

Primary Job Function and Responsibilities:

• Promoting self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction; assisting individuals in identifying strengths; wellness goals; setting objectives, and identifying barriers.
• Attending treatment team meetings with the individual to promote the individual's use of self-directed advocacy tools; assisting the individual in goal planning, assisting the individual in learning how to ask for appropriate services in the community.
• Assisting individuals in obtaining information about their benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, etc.).
• Engaging individuals in outpatient programs and services to encourage recovery.
• Modeling self-advocacy skills.
• Teaching wellness management strategies and helping individuals develop their own self-management plans/tools to use in their personal lives; using manualized strategies such as IMR/WMR, WRAP, and others.
• Connecting 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.
• Providing education to other staff to increase their understanding of self-advocacy and peer support roles, and to promote a culture in which an individuals’ points of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into service delivery.
• Providing resources and teaching transportation skills (teaching bus routes, etc.).
• Sharing his or her own personal story to model how to choose, obtain, and maintain stability.
• Supporting individuals in making informed decisions about treatment, housing, benefits, and building community connections.
• Supporting the individuals in developing crisis plans and safety plans.
• Building social skills in the community that will enhance recovery.
• Assisting in overcoming barriers to recovery and addressing challenges.
• Assisting in obtaining the proper documentation necessary for benefits, employment, and housing.
• Assisting the individual in completing paperwork.
• Exploring aspirations with the individual.
• Leading recovery support groups and NA/AA meetings with the job seeker if appropriate.

 Supervision and Consultation:

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

 Record Keeping:

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

 Courteous and respectful towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:

• 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

 Administrative and Other Related Duties as 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 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; and Peer Specialist Certification through State of Alabama Department of Mental Health, or obtained within 6 months of employment.  Must be 23 years of age, maintain a valid Alabama driver license and an acceptable driving record, and have proof of current liability insurance.

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult and child populations
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of Substance Use Disorders
• 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 available community employment resources
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults and children with psychiatric disorders

Experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.  Ability to work as an effective team player is essential.