Peer Recovery Support Specialist - Grant & Dodge - Behavioral Health

Job Purpose:  A Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) Ambassador is someone with lived experience of Behavioral Health and/or substance use recovery who has received specialized training on how to use their experience to help others. A PRSS works with individuals during their recovery journey, sharing skills, coaching, and providing support. A PRSS will have obtained credentialing as a PRSS from an AHCCCS approved training program. Peer support services shall be provided by a PRSS and are aimed at assisting in the creation of skills to promote long-term and sustained recovery. PRSSs providing peer support are not therapists and will need to know when and how to refer peer individuals to a therapist for support and will work as part of an integrated multi-disciplinary team.  Assisting with or completing these duties, tasks, or assignments follows well-established procedures requiring some minimal independent judgment within the scope of authority and responsibility for the position. 

A PRSS works with direct supervision and review, and any work problems involving departures from standard policies, interpretations, or procedures are reviewed with the supervisor for resolution. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs and/or completes all assigned duties, tasks, responsibilities, and assignments supporting program operations within established periods; meeting established rates of performance for the quality and quantity of work for the position; demonstrating a level of quality, efficiency, and accuracy in the employee's job performance that ensures the highest standards of excellence.
• Maintains at all times employee and/or patient confidentiality by controlling the environment and information being disclosed only to authorized individuals ensuring compliance with all HIPAA and corporate compliance standards.
• Understands and complies with all organizational Code of Conduct standards, Policies and Procedures, and Service Excellence requirements with all patients, visitors, employees, and internal/external clients or representatives.

• Performs assigned duties, tasks, or assignments that supports effective peer support to patients, such as:
• Offers support and understanding to people enrolled to the program.
• Knowledgeable of the Behavioral Health system of care in AZ and the AHCCCS AMPM Peer and Recovery Support Service Provision Requirements.
• Shares personal experiences related to the recovery journey of individuals facing similar life circumstances.
• Provides advocacy, emotional support, and help in problem-solving. Peer support services will be offered in office but primarily in the community to meet peer patients where they are at and may be offered after hours and on weekends
• Helps to locate support services in the community that can assist in the recovery process.
• Helps guide individuals in the development of their own recovery goals.
• Encourages communication with the multidisciplinary integrated treatment team.
• Works with the multidisciplinary integrated treatment team members in a manner that supports the recovery goals of patients.
• Participates in bi-weekly clinical supervision.
• Facilitates peer groups and/or classes.
• Engages with newly diagnosed patients to offer support and help them navigate the system.
• Serves as a treatment team member and participates in team meetings.
• Works closely with the Behavioral Health Leadership Team
• Demonstrates an exceptional level of customer service; answers and responds to all incoming calls, emails, and inquiries in a timely and effective manner, respond to requests for support providing general information in response to inquiries.
• Identifies and reports any safety hazard, or potential hazard, by immediately notifying supervisory staff and communicating the hazard, thereby ensuring that El Rio Health provides safe and high-quality services for all patients and visitors.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and proficiency with the application of all Joint Commission Accreditation standards and reporting requirements applicable to a PRSS.
• As a team player demonstrates self-initiative by being able to communicate effectively in order to assist patients, co-workers, and others while maintaining and enhancing a respectful and positive attitude in the work environment.
• Ability to function as a role model in the use of healthy coping and self-help skills.
• Ability to listen and provide emotional support.
• Willingness to share personal stories and experiences in an effort to establish the peer relationship and support the recovery process.
• Demonstrates effective performance as an advocate for others.
• Serves at all times as a positive and effective employee.

• Communicates effectively through written, verbal, and interpersonal skills as applied when interacting with patients, family members, co-workers, or agency representatives; successfully conveying and exchanging information in a positive manner.
• Participates in a learning environment by being willing to learn from other employees, gaining new skills and knowledge to enhance and improve the quality of service provided to peers and patients.
• In support of the Mission and Vision of El Rio Community Health Center, when associated with and/or identifiable as an employee of El Rio Community Health Center employees will at all times represent themselves as a professional role model of El Rio, serving as a positive informational resource for peer members of the community.
• In accordance with policies and procedures ensure that documentation of hours worked is completed accurately, as well as signed-off/approved in a timely manner.
• PRSS will be required to complete a minimum of four hours of continuing education and ongoing training relevant to peer support each year.
• Must complete El Rio Health and RBHA employee trainings in a timely manner including but not limited to:
• Client Rights
• Customer Service
• Ethical Principles
• Covered Services
• Cultural Competency
• HIPAA and Confidentiality

Minimum Education and Experience:

• A High School Diploma or G.E.D
• Two (2) years experience in the provision of delivering peer support services with lived experiences of recovery.

If applicable, equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered, and must be directly related to the functions and responsibilities of the job.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations:

• Credentialed as a PRSS from an AHCCCS approved training program.

• Employees in this position are required to have reliable transportation that can meet any operational reassignments of the organization during the workday.  If an employee is driving during work hours, the employee is required to possess a valid driver's license and must comply with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in a Behavioral Health related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in the provision of delivering peer support services.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to speak, read and write in both languages

El Rio Health is a diverse and inclusive organization. We are invested in helping you and your family Create Tomorrow.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
El Rio Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age 40 and over, disability, genetic information, military status, ancestry, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by law or regulation. 
It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
El Rio Health requires all employees (except those 100% working remotely) to have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance card. A.R.S. 36.425.03. If the prospective employee does not possess this prior to hire, fingerprint application must be completed within 7 days post hire. 
All employees are strongly recommended to obtain Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, and maintain vaccination status (i.e. boosters as recommended by CDC and/or other public health agencies) to include an Influenza vaccination.
Subject to exemptions and accommodations when required by law, all employees are required to follow El Rio Health Clinic's masking and PPE policies (N95 preferred) when interacting with patients, co-workers, visitors, vendors, etc.
All employees are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, will be subject to post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal and State regulations for alcohol and controlled substance testing. Employees in positions holding responsibility for the safety and welfare of others will also be classified as safety sensitive. 
El Rio Health is a Non-profit 501 (c3) Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and abides by all applicable federal Drug-Free Workplace standards.