Peer Specialist

Pay starting between $16.25 - $18.00 per hour.

It is never too early to plan for retirement!

-As an employee of NCHC, you would be eligible for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), which is among the best funded and best managed public pension systems in the country.

-The WRS is a hybrid defined benefit plan. It contains elements of both a 401(k) or defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan. The WRS is a strong public pension plan because of its stable funding, unique plan design and robust governance. These factors set the WRS apart from the vast majority of other plans in the United States. With some $142 billion in assets, it is the 8th largest U.S. public pension fund.

-Participating staff contribute 6.9% and NCHC will match this at 100% each pay period!

We are looking for qualified, dedicated and caring staff to join our team!

Purpose of the Position:

The Certified Peer Specialist reports to the Manager of AODA Residential Treatment. The Certified Peer Specialist, has lived experience with recovery, meaning they self-identify as living with mental illness and/or substance use and have made significant progress on the pathway toward recovery. This position provides support and rehabilitation services for clients who have or are experiencing challenges with opiate use disorders, wanting to engage in a Substance Use Program or who are living in our Sober Living Homes. The Peer Specialist engages and encourages clients with mental health/substance use disorders to work toward recovery and serves to provide them with a sense of belonging, a supportive relationship, as a valued member of the community, promoting wellness, independent living, self-direction, and facilitating recovery. The Peer Specialist looks for and empowers signs of wellness and recovery in everyone, encouraging strength and self-direction. The Certified Peer Specialist is an active member of the client’s team.

Education, Licenses, Certification, Skills, and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Completion of an approved CCAR or Peer Specialist Training, or successful completion of a Peer Specialist certification course within two weeks of hire (may be completed during work time in initial two weeks).

• Minimum Work Experience:

• Required Skills: Identifies as a person in recovery from a mental health and/or substance use disorder. Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Driving Requirements: Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and appropriate auto insurance coverage as required by North Central Health Care.

• Preferred Qualifications, Skills, Education, Licenses, Certifications and Requirements: One to three years of relevant experience.

Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Uses personal recovery experience as a tool in supporting identified clients
• Frequent interaction and communication with internal and external clients and the ability to remain calm in high stress situations.
• Provides ongoing support and information to promote independence and recovery.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with colleagues, consumers, and community partners.
• Supports clients by identifying stressors and offers proactive support to prevent crisis situations
• Facilitates self-direction with recovery planning by participating in recovery team meetings
• Communicates effectively with treatment providers
• Provides ongoing support services to promote independence and recovery within the community
• Participates in the Quality Improvement goals of the program and agency
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance

• Works closely with the Recovery Case Manager and Sober Living Coordinator to provide recovery-based services in Hope Houses
• Provides education and support to clients in sober living Hope Houses
• Provides recovery-based services to clients in community settings including the jail and other community partners

Non-Essential Job Duties:

• All other duties as assigned.

Organizational Competencies:

• Demonstrates behaviors that support excellence as defined by North Central Health Care
• Completes competencies as required by North Central Health Care and/or various regulatory agencies based on entity and/or job title
• Provides Person-Centered Service
  • with a proactive approach and caring attitude
  • by fostering a culture of trust and safety
  • that is values and respect based
  • that offers choice, input and involvement
• Adheres to professional boundaries, ethics, confidentiality and privacy practices, policies, procedures, and regulations (HF, HR, PP)
• Demonstrates adherence to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct
• Understands HIPAA regulations and ensures release of information is consistent with NCHC's privacy policies (HF, HR, PP)
• Uses knowledge of regulatory and accreditation standards along with federal, state, and local codes needed to perform job duties
• Adheres to quality standards and follows policies, processes, procedures, and regulations
• Understands role in the organization and aligns actions with NCHC goals, core functions and values
• Participates in continuing professional development

Peer Specialist

Functional Demands:

• Activity Requirements (including Mental & Physical Activities):

• 30% General Office Work: Frequent use of computer, keyboard, and other technology; data interpretation, decision making, problem recognition, problem solving, visual acuity (near visual acuity, far visual acuity, depth perception, color vision), hearing, verbal communication, verbal comprehension, writing communication, and written comprehension
• 0% Sedentary Work: Continuous sitting at desk for several hours occasional standing, walking, turning, twisting, bending, stooping, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, grasping, and lifting of under 10 pounds as required
• 70% Light Work: Intermittent lifting, sitting, standing, walking, turning, twisting, bending, stooping, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and grasping. Must be able to lift a minimum of 10 pounds unassisted
  • 0% Medium Work: Frequent lifting, standing, walking, turning, twisting, bending, stooping, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and grasping. Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds unassisted
  • 0% Heavy Work: Frequent lifting, standing, walking, turning, twisting, bending, stooping, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and grasping. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds unassisted
  • 0% Very Heavy Work: Frequent lifting, standing, walking, turning, twisting, bending, stooping, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and grasping. Must be able to lift a minimum of 100 pounds unassisted

• Exposure to Hazards: Select the most appropriate level of hazard exposure
  • Moderate exposure to workplace hazards

• Types of Hazards:
  • Physical

• Working Conditions:
  • Indoors
  • Outdoors
  • Background Noise
  • Exposed to infectious diseases or other possible infectious materials including blood, fecal matter, OPIM...
  • Required to function around high behavioral or physically disruptive individuals
  • Position may be required to wear specialized mask (N95)

• Travel Requirements:

• Frequency:
  • Frequent
• Type of travel:
  • In community
  • Within the county
  • Out of the county
• Nature of travel:
  • Transport clients/patients/residents
  • Other: Home visits, community meetings

Acknowledgement

All requirements of the described position are subject to change over time where I may be required to perform other duties as requested by NCHC. Further, I acknowledge that this job description is not an employment contract. I have received, read, and understand the expectations for the successful performance of this job.