Peer Support Specialist

Position Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist assists individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health diagnoses. Assists in developing skills and competencies needed to successfully build a personal support network and to live and work competitively in the community. The role of the Peer Support Specialist is to provide recovery support, consumer education, consumer intervention, and consumer advocacy. The Peer Support Specialist also provides the consumer perspective to recovery and empowers the consumer.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide recovery support to consumers
• Conducts skills building groups and other activities as assigned by the supervisor
• Acts as an appropriate role model for consumers
• Provides coaching and mentoring services to consumers as assigned by the supervisor
• Serve as a family/individual representative and advocate in program/agency activities.
• Assist in the facilitation of individual/family support and educational groups.
• Provide Peer support to individuals by using personal and professional life experiences.
• Work in partnership with the case manager provider to link individuals to needed services.
• Respond to the cultural and linguistic needs and preferences of individuals, stakeholders and system partners.
• Assist individuals to identify and build natural supports as well as self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills.
• Help individuals identify strengths and recognize successes to promote self-esteem and empowerment.
• Actively promote and educate individuals on program is and availability peer support services at any point in treatment.
• Assist individuals to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan when needed.
• Document one-to-one sessions, telephone calls and/or visits with families/individuals to reflect their supportive role.
• Provide peer support services to additional populations, as needed

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Certification as a certified peer specialist in good standing and recognized by the Florida Certification Board is preferred at time of hire. Peer certification can be completed via ongoing coaching and training onsite within 1 year of hiring date If the Peer Support Specialist is certified, he/she must comply with annual CEU requirements.; Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently certified;

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred;
• High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of college-level education is required.

Experience and Competencies:

• Must be a current or former substance abuse or mental health care service recipient who is engaged in own recovery for a minimum of two years demonstrated by an effort of self-directed recovery. May not be a current recipient of residential care.
• Valid drivers license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCares vehicle insurance is required;
• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental health/ substance abuse population is preferred
• Must have availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite
• Ability to utilize internal electronic health record software
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.

During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

WestCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment at WestCare is contingent upon
successful completion of a pre-employment drug test,
pre-employment physical and criminal background check.