Certified Peer Specialist

Positive Impact Health Centers (PIHC) is a community leader in providing HIV prevention, care and treatment services. The PIHC model of care assures that persons with HIV have access to medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health and social services, providing the best opportunity for patients to achieve high-quality health outcomes.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Addiction Services, the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is part of the Addiction Services Department. The CPS works collaboratively within the agency and with community resources to provide peer support in an effort to assist clients with building and individualized recovery plan and developing skills to maintain recovery. The Certified Peer Specialist requires the ability to conceptualize, problem solve and act independently with a degree of flexibility in accordance with agency precedents, policies and procedures. The CPS maintains a cooperative attitude at all times to promote effective work relationships throughout the agency.

This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this position. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this position description.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct peer counseling in both individual and group formats utilizing the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
• Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with clients.
• Assist clients in utilizing and initiating problem solving techniques by teaching clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk, how to identify and overcome fears, and model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies
• Support clients’ vocational choices and assist them in overcoming job-related anxiety and in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure
• Assist staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery and lend unique insight into mental illness and substance abuse and what makes recovery possible
• Provide drug and alcohol information and support to individuals, families and other stake holders
• Maintain client records in accordance with prudent, generally accepted record keeping procedures, as defined by Positive Impact and as required by law, grants and contracts
• Conducts client mental health and substance abuse intakes and assessments
• Performs intake and/or random urine toxicology’s to ensure treatment compliance
• Provides crisis intervention services as needed by participating in the on-call clinician rotation.
• Attends all team, agency and community meetings as required
• Answer phone calls and inquiries concerning mental health services and substance abuse treatment program
• Maintain strict confidentiality guidelines regarding all clients, conversations and referrals
• Be active and assertive in the community in efforts to engage the targeted population
• Provide addiction education to clients, families, and other stake holders
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• The causes and effects of drugs and alcohol, and addictions on individuals, families and communities
• Demonstration of knowledge specific to issues in HIV/AIDS and substance abuse
• An understanding of crisis management and the ability to deal with life threatening situations including the prevention of suicide
• Strong applicants can demonstrate the ability to be positive in their empathetic responses to all persons; understand the value of meaningful and deep client engagement; have the potential to acquire the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills of effectively reaching clients who are HIV positive.
• Effective verbal, written, and listening communication skills
• Awareness of community resources and ability to build community partner relationships
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Demonstrate good decision making in dealing with safety issues and with aggressive and/or intoxicated clients, if required
• Conflict resolution
• Current driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Stress and time management
• Be able to manage his/her own case files on an independent basis
• Be able to work cooperatively as a part of a team

Minimum Qualifications

• Certified as a peer counselor
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Knowledge and experience (1 or more years) in working with chemically dependent/mental health clientele.
• Certification as a peer specialist (preferably in the state of Georgia)
• Have an understanding of HIV.
• Interest in integrating personal experience with linkage, retention and adherence into work with clients.
• Understanding of the community served
• Knowledge of relevant community resources and methods for accessing them.
• Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately
• Ability to work flexible hours to address client needs.
• Interest or experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional health care services.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with clients and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to clients.
• Basic computer skills.

Experience

• Knowledge and experience (1 or more years) in working with chemically dependent/mental health clientele
• Knowledge and experience (1 or more years) in case management.

License/Licensure

Must be certified as a peer counselor (by the state of Georgia preferably)

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or operate computers, objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

NOTES:

1. Positive Impact Health Centers, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, or covered veteran status.
2. Recreational drugs, weapons and violence are not permitted on agency property or at any agency events or programs.
3. The above job description represents the general nature, primary duties and responsibilities, and qualifications for the work performed by employees within this job, but is not a comprehensive and exhaustive list. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, and specific duties, responsibilities, and activities within the core nature of the job may change at any time with or without notice. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, as specified by the employing entity, with or without reasonable accommodation.
4. Where permitted by applicable law, must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by date of hire to be considered for all jobs, if not currently employed by Positive Impact Health Centers.