Peer Support

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist provides direct care to patients with a combination of mental health support and basic living assistance to prevent the need for a more intrusive level of care. Services may be provided in the patient’s home, Prairie Ridge offices, or other community locations to support activities of daily living. This position delivers recovery-oriented, patient-centered services while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides direct care to patients with a combination of mental health and basic living support.


• Provides support and advocacy for an assigned group of patients.


• Coordinates and monitors activities of daily living.


• Supports patients with behavioral health symptom management.


• Assists with locating housing options, maintaining current housing arrangements, teaching or supporting skills to maintain a clean home, and advocating with landlords, tenants, or other relevant parties.


• Engages other staff members and/or caretakers on alternatives to emergency or hospital care.


• Participates as a member of a collaborative multidisciplinary team.


• Delivers crisis response as needed under the supervision of the Community Services Director.


• Works cooperatively with referral agencies.


• Assists patients with paperwork and entitlement applications.


• Participates in patient-centered comprehensive assessments at admission and minimally on a yearly basis thereafter. Assessments may also be completed throughout the year when significant life changes occur.


• Treats all individuals with dignity and respect while maintaining agency standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and objectivity.


• Adheres to all confidentiality requirements and regulations as outlined in CARF policies and procedures.


• Participates in Quality Improvement activities, including data collection, tracking, and analysis.


• Maintains an active workload in accordance with minimum caseload requirements, clinical quality standards, and quality management plan protocols.


• Records and maintains documentation while protecting patient confidentiality and agency operations.


• Develops additional programs or recovery groups to meet patient needs.


• Adheres to all Prairie Ridge policies and procedures, including paperwork requirements and deadlines.


• Performs all other duties as assigned by direct supervisor, line of authority, and/or regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED.


• Actual lived experience accessing mental health services for self (required).


• Knowledge of and experience working with adults with mental illness (required).


• Must participate in Peer Support training in the first available training post-hire.


• WRAP trained, or ability and willingness to obtain WRAP training in the first available training post-hire.


• Understanding of Prairie Ridge’s mission and the patients served.


• Proficiency in oral and written communication skills, including record keeping.


• Technology skills sufficient for proficiency in an electronic health record system.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is often required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance.


• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.


• The employee must possess a valid driver’s license, liability insurance, and a reliable means of transportation.