Peer Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:
This a non-exempt position that is part of the administrative team at a residential addiction recovery center under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator. The incumbent must have lived experience and an understanding of and respect for each individual's unique path to recovery. The Peer specialist should have a working knowledge of the drug and alcohol treatment system and a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community. This position will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to recovery individuals to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. Incumbent ensures that all duties and responsibilities must be completed in accordance with agency policy and procedures, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Children and Families (DCF), federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, and other regulatory guidelines. The Incumbent in this position demonstrates sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Recovery Support:

• Models behavior for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
• Provides recovery education to service recipients for every phase of the recovery journey from

pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery
maintenance.

• Maintains contact by phone and/or e-mail with recovering persons after they leave the program, for a period of 6 months to provide support and encouragement towards their ongoing success and Long-term engagement in their recovery plan.

Screening & Intake:

• Provides information to those in the community requesting information regarding the admission process.
• Provides prescreening details of consumers pending admission during staffing.
• Coordinates and facilitates intakes of consumers, including assessment of possible case management needs.
• Gives priority to consumers that meet the priority criteria and with urgent needs or emergency situations.
• Completes screening assessment appointments.

Case Management:

• Provides care coordination for consumers to receive HIV treatment, Hepatitis C treatment, PrEP, and additional services when applicable.
• Provides information and referral to consumers to assist with meeting the outcomes developed with therapist in aftercare plan.
• Accompanies consumers to court hearings and appointments to ensure linkage to care, and work with referral sources on care plans.
• Provides support for consumers when attending court or other necessary appointments.
• Assists consumers with navigating the systems of care and coaching individuals in preparation for appointments.
• Adheres to the No Wrong Door Policy by actively identifying and supporting linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self-help groups, professional services, etc.) that support the recovering person's goals and interests.
• Facilitates recovery education groups from AA/NA or other Self-Help Groups, Living in Balance, Practical Skills, and other topics approved by the Program Coordinator and/or Lead Counselor.
• Assists with the follow-up of case management referrals to ensure linkage of care.
• Collaborates with Case Manager to ensure that all referrals have been provided as needed under the treatment and/or aftercare plan.
• Documents Case Management services provided and follow up to confirm linkage to care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary staffings to provide staff with lived experience prospective.

Administrative:

• Completes required logs and tracking of services provided to be reported under the SAMHSA project.
• Collaborates with case managers in ensuring that all files include documentation in compliance with SAMHSA and other regulatory bodies.
• Participates in the Performance Quality Improvement meetings.
• Monitors the compliance of safety and health precautions.
• Ensures appropriate reporting of incident reports in adherence to DCF and Catholic Charities Policies and Procedures requirements.

Additional Duties:

• Participates in all required or requested meetings and training.
• Adheres to all agency Policies and Procedures, program guidelines, funding, licensing regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Completes other tasks as requested by the supervisor.

Physical Demands:

• Work is usually sedentary, but may require long periods of standing, walking, and/or bending and some light lifting.

• Ability to travel throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties for meeting/training

Educational & Experiential Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 1 year experience in a related area.
• Lived experience with the population to be served under this position.
• Good knowledge of recovery resources such as the 12-step program and community support groups.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist or ability to obtain within 1 year.
• Bilingual Spanish required.

Reporting to this position:

• N/A

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)