Peer Support Specialist

Description

CCAP Mission Statement - To empower all people and communities, challenged by poverty as well as social and cultural barriers, through advocacy, education, and access to high quality health and human services 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Specialist is a member of the behavioral health/family health services team(s). The teams are composed of multidisciplinary professionals including; Behavioral Health Clinicians, Primary Care Providers, Psychiatric Providers, Nurses, Medical Assistants and Social Workers. The Peer Support Specialist assists peers with tasks such as setting recovery goals, developing recovery action plans and solving problems directly related to recovery; including finding sober housing, making new friends, finding new uses of spare time and improving one’s job skills. They may also assist with issues that arise in connection with collateral problems such as having a criminal justice record or coexisting physical or mental challenges. The relationship of the Peer Support Specialist to the peer is supportive in nature. The Peer Support Specialist will selectively utilize self-disclosure as well as role model positive behaviors to inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learned as a person in recovery. 

WORK SCHEDULE DEMANDS:

• This is a full time 40 hour per week position, including some evening hours.  
• Due to the nature of the job, this individual must be flexible with their schedule to accommodate the client population.     
• May be required to work at any CCAP location.

KEY RESPONSIBILIITIES

• To selectively utilize self-disclosure, as well as role model positive behaviors to inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learned as a person in recovery. 
• To develop a recovery action/treatment plan with peers. 
• Meet with peers at CCAP Behavioral/Family Health Services sites and in the community.  
• Coordinate services to clients appropriately utilizing various components of CCAP as well as referrals to other local or state agencies 
• Act as a liaison between the family, legal system, and any resources in the community, statewide 
• Engage individuals who may be at risk and provide stage appropriate recovery education and supports.  
• Assist in the orientation process for new and /or existing peer/consumers requiring mental health and/or co-occurring disorder services.  
• Assist peers reduce high risk behaviors and health risk factors such as smoking, poor illness self-management, inadequate nutrition, and infrequent exercise in order to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle. (health promotion) 
• Assist peers make behavioral changes leading to positive lifestyle improvement. (individual and family support services) 
• Assist peers identify individual wellness and/or health goals. Work collaboratively to identify the steps necessary to achieve these goals. 
• Introduce and link wellness and healthy lifestyle resources to assist peers achieve recovery goals. 
• Assist peers in developing and practicing skills selected and defined in their recovery action plans. 
• Facilitate or co-lead recovery oriented group activities; some of these activities are structured as support groups, while others have educational purposes. 
• Attend and participate in all CCAP public relations activities as appropriate. 
• Attend training, conferences, and development sessions 
• Schedule and attend weekly supervision meetings with supervisor 
• Must have driver's license 
• Must have automobile insurance. 
• Other duties as assigned 

OTHER ABILITIES:

• Ability to write routine case management narratives, reports and correspondence. 
• Ability to speak effectively before groups and clients, representatives of other agencies or CCAP employees. 
• Ability to operate and maintain control of an automobile. 
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variable in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral form. 
• Ability to problem solve and think outside the box to assist clients 
• Must have excellent oral and written skills.  

Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s in related field 
• Rhode Island Certified Peer Recovery Coach preferred 
• Experience of recovery in own life 
• Have the ability to effectively carry out responsibilities and assignments, such as previous experience working in a community-based setting.
• Valid Driver's license and vehicle insurance.
• Provide/maintain all required immunizations and/or vaccinations 

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT:

Has access to electronic health records. Maintains the strict confidentiality of all materials in accordance with State and Federal laws and CCAP policies and procedures. 

PHYSICAL EFFORT / ENVIRONMENT:

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 regularly required to sit and to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands, fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The environment is a clinical business office environment. Potential exposure to blood borne pathogens, respiratory diseases and other infectious diseases, and other biohazardous material requiring universal standard precautions. This position requires the individual to have their own transportation, a current unrestricted license to drive, documented auto insurance and the individual must be willing to work in schools, client’s homes and the community. 

CCAP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristics as established by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotions, terminations, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  

Our Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes 403(b), health insurance, vision and dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability, flexible spending accounts, health reimbursement accounts, tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 annually, Employee Assistance Program, generous vacation, sick and personal days, and up to 12 available paid holidays for full-time employees and some benefits are included for part-time employees.