Peer Recovery Specialist - Adolesccents - Young Adults

Description
The Peer Recovery Specialist position provides non-clinical, person centered wellness focused support to engage adolescent and young adult consumers to promote use of the consumer's wellness recovery plans and strategies. The Peer Recovery Specialist shares their first hand lived experiences with recovery to inspire hope, increase engagement in treatment and in their communities and support consumers in articulating personal goals for wellness, recovery resiliency and self -advocacy. The Peer Recovery Specialist will function within the outpatient and detention center. Peer Recovery Specialists will have knowledge of the signs and symptoms of Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders and the ability to assist the individual to address symptoms using their individual wellness plan. Peer Recovery Specialists provide: Peer Support; serve as a consumer advocates; carry out wellness rehabilitation for mental health and substance use disorders and support functions; promote recovery from substance abuse and/or mental health conditions; promote employment, education, health, and community integration; and serve as a role models for personal recovery. Services carried out by the Peer Recovery Specialist include outreach, monitoring, advocacy, daily living support, and similar functions. The Peer Recovery Specialist will work with adolescents and Young Adults (12-21years of age) to offer support in their treatment and recovery. The PRS will assist with case management for school attendance, transportation, and cohesive intervention and support with the community treatment team in order for consumers to improve their health and wellness, lead self-directed lives and reach their full potential.
Starting Hourly Rate: $14.72-Depending on Experience
Responsibility

• Assists adolescent and young adult consumers with implementation of their wellness plans, general problem solving and development of skills to support consumers in maintaining stability and independence in the community.
• Links and educates individuals to needed services within their community. Develops and maintains community referral network.
• Assists consumers/visitors in developing self-directed strategies for wellness recovery and for periods of potential crisis, in order to empower individuals in taking a pro-active role in their treatment.
• Requires regular and consistent contact with individuals who have mental health and/or substance use conditions.
• In some instances, interaction with professionals from other agencies or service providers may be necessary, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Peer Recovery Specialists may have to initiate and maintain relationships with staff from law-enforcement, hospital systems, and other types of human service agencies and with informal community resources.
• Develops appropriate relationships, using good judgment and discretion, with a variety of individuals with mental health and/or substance use conditions in accordance with the Ethics statement from the Peer Supports Specialist Certification.
• Assists individuals who have challenging behaviors which may result in unpredictable or emergency situations. Peer Recovery Specialists must be accessible by telephone at home to manage client emergencies/crisis if needed.
• Ensures all required supervision, trainings and/or certifications are up to date and meet professional development and/or program needs.
• Maintains complete and accurate records, turning in all required paperwork (i.e.: clinical documentation, time sheets, mileage documentation, incident reports, leave requests, etc.) on time. Stays informed about and follows all NRVCS and funding sources' policies and procedures.
• Maintains all communications, both written and verbal, with respect and confidentiality and complies with HIPAA and 42-CFR Part 2 standards and regulations.
• Performs at the expected levels of individual and team productivity. Ensures all client records are in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements including guidelines as they pertain to DBHDS Licensure Regulations, Waiver, State Plan and Clinic Options Medicaid.
• Will be flexible as Office of Peer Supports and Recovery develops. Peer Recovery Specialist positions may share work hours among programs utilizing Peer Supports.
• May participate in local state and national Peer Advocacy events. • Completes other tasks and duties as assigned by Supervisor, Program Manager, Program Director and/or Senior Director.

Qualifications:

• Certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist or working toward certification (i.e.: by being currently or recently enrolled in certification training).
• Commitment to being a role model for individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders or co-occurring illness.
• Ability and willingness to work with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders and co-occurring problems, their families/care givers, and other agencies.
• Personal experience with SUD and or mental illness and treatment and willingness to disclose.
• Willingness and ability to provide consumer perspective to clinical team.
• Working knowledge of substance abuse disorders as they co-occur with mental illness, and a basic knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Education / understanding of the recovery model as it pertains to mental illness is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely (written and oral). Basic knowledge of personal computers and word processing. Manages time effectively in order to complete work within expected timeframes
• Must possess a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record must be maintained throughout employment (unless otherwise approved by agency). Must provide reliable transportation and a telephone.
• Must have an acceptable criminal history background and child protective services check upon hire and maintained throughout employment;
• Must have acceptable drug screen results upon hire.

Education/Experience Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Associates degree or higher is preferred.
• Must have a mental health or substance use disorder that has impacted your life for two years or more, and must identify a year in recovery.
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist or demonstrated work towards certification