Peer Support Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW

Provide outreach services to patients in the community and coordinate health services between the Agency, community and home settings. Participate as a full member of the team to carry out rehabilitation and support services. Provide substance abuse services and education, and support to families and other identified supports. Provide crisis intervention under the supervision of the Program Manager. Schedule and Manage weekend shifts between peers to assure delivery of services to persons in treatment. Contact the on-call clinician to respond in person to situations which require a clinical intervention.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

There are no staff persons reporting to this position.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

- Conduct visits to various agencies, shelters and hospitals to engage clients for the ACT program.

- Screen clients upon admission to the ACT program; obtain complete psychiatric and medical health history.

- Coordinate client care and collaborate with other social and community agencies, advocating for clients; refer clients to other treatment facilities/community resources as required.

- Participate in community ACT Team related meetings, client care conferences, clinical programs, etc.

- Participate in the provision of rehabilitation services in coordination with the team.

- Instruct clients and families in regards to: nutrition, medication, side effects, and all physical/psychiatric illnesses, dental care, substance abuse prevention, health maintenance and preventative care, including activities related to diagnostic testing preparation and prescribed treatment for acute and short-term treatment.

- Provide training in communicable disease prevention; prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, as needed and if credentialed.

- Assess acute health problems of clients to determine the most appropriate health care provider and make referrals.

- Act as a liaison between the Agency and various community programs.

- Serve as a resource for other staff members in the development of the case management role with their clients.

- Provide advocacy and appropriate resources for clients.

- Provide case management for an assigned group of clients including coordinating and monitoring the activities of the individual treatment team; assume responsibility for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating, and revising overall treatment goals and plans in conjunction with the ITP; provide individual supportive counseling; assist in symptom management, ensuring immediate changes are made in the treatment plans as client’s needs change. Educate and support client’s families, and advocate for client rights and preferences.

- Conduct comprehensive assessment of all domains of a person’s life.

- Provide on call crisis intervention when assigned covering nighttime and weekend hours.

- Become an expert of the ACT philosophy and follow and maintain high fidelity to the ACT Model of Care.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Candidate recruitment for the ACT program

Client assessment and ongoing treatment.

Client well being (clinical and physical).

Education and training.

EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: High School Diploma and/or equivalent work experience. Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) required.

Skill Requirement: One to six months OJT required for efficient job performance.

Job Requirements: Excellent communication, problem solving and organizational skills. Must have a valid driver’s license. Must have a clean driving record. Must have the ability to work independently with minimum supervision

COMMENTS

Must exhibit knowledge of mental health treatment.

NOTE: INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DESCRIPTION IS A SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNED DUTIES AND NOT INCLUSIVE OF ALL REQUIREMENTS THAT MAY BE ASSIGNED. ADDITIONAL DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS