Peer Support Specialist

Job Summary: The Peer Support Specialist provides direct support services to NHS patients, which includes public school students.  They use their personal story of recovery from substance use disorder and/or mental health conditions to guide and support persons in treatment/recovery to meet their goals and achieve their highest potential.

Role & Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with Northwest Health Services (NHS) providers and personnel to carry out the goals and objectives of NHS according to governing body requirements and established internal policies and procedures.
• Treat others respectfully, whether it is a patient, fellow employee, member of managment, customer, vendor or visitor to our premises.
• Conduct intake interviews with patients, assessing social determinants of health, and any barriers to their treatment and recovery and develop plans using patient-centered strengths and goals to address identified barriers.
• Follow up with patients in a timely manner via phone calls, home visits, school visits, clinic visits or other settings as needed.
• Assist patients as needed with completing applications and registration forms.
• Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to needs of patients/families. Provide education and referrals as needed to community resources.
• Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors and staff, along with other community partners and organizations.
• Work cooperatively with other clinical personnel assigned to the same patient.
• Be responsible for providing consistent communication to the care team to evaluate patient/family status, ensuring that provided information and reports clearly describe progress.
• If applicable, record patient care managment information in the EMR or other designated software no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
• Manage assigned caseload of patients.
• Attend regular staff meetings, trainings, and other meetings as requested.
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Possess high school diploma or equivalent, Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in human service program is preferred. Certification through the Mo Credentialing Board for Peer Support will be required.
• If applicant does not yet have their Certified Peer Support credential through the Missouri Credentialing Board, they will obtain this within 2 months of employment.
• If applicant does not have their Community Health Worker certification, if requested by supervisor, they will obtain this within one year of the supervisor’s request.
• Experience working in a community-based setting for at least 1 to 2 years preferred.
• Knowledge of some medical terminology preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance for use of personal vehicle used for business.
• Must demonstrate basic computer skills
• Ability to work with all age-groups who function at different levels.
• If working remotely, must have an adequate, quiet, and confidential work space without distractions.
• Must possess an understanding that the needs of the agency change over time. If working remotely intially, this could change according to the needs of the organization and of the grant goals.
• Must find enjoyment and meaning in working directly with people (especially youth) to help them achieve their recovery goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be able to talk, see, hear, react, stand, kneel, walk and sit for long periods of time.
• Possess cognitive skills necessary to read and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral or written form.
• Must demonstrate patience, kindness, compassion, and overall good written and oral communication skills.
• Must respect and maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to initiate and maintain positive working relationships with staff and other organizations.
• Maintain professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
• Follow the Missouri Credentialing Board’s Certified Peer Specialist CODE OF ETHICS at all times and the code of ethics for any additional certifications obtained during employment.
• Be willing to share their personal story of recovery (from sustance use and/or mental health conditions) with others in order to aide them in their recovery efforts.
• Let SAMHSA’s Core Competencies for Peer Workers guide them in their work (Recovery-Oriented, Person-Centered, Recognizing and Repecting the Client’s Services are Voluntary, Relationship-Focused, and Trauma-Informed (create emotional safety and opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment).

The above referenced role and responsibilities are intended to describe the general content and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not considered to be an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

I have read the Peer Support Specialist job description and understand the functions and objectives of the position at this clinic.