Peer Support Recovery Specialist

Job Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist is dedicated to the Center’s mission to provide health care to all people without prejudice, in a caring manner, regardless of their ability to pay. The vision of MyCHN - Community Health Network is to be a leader in providing quality services and programs that enhance the lives of the people in our community. The values of MyCHN are quality care at reasonable costs, education to promote healthy living, access to needed care, transparency in all aspects of our operations, competent and empathetic staff, high professional standards, and commitment to advances in healthcare.

The person-centered care plan and Peer Supported activities will be tracked and benchmarked against outcomes goals with performance activities to enhance service goals.

This position requires the ability to manage multiple priorities as well as clear, concise, and consistent communication with the care team. The Peer Support Specialist will demonstrate through their work ethic to possess a patient-centered focus, collaborative team player, sense of optimism, ownership, and commitment to their position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To provide real time assistance to patients for whole person care services with navigation and personal follow through to treatment services
• Develops and implements individualized person-centered care plans with patients to support their treatment plans, according to their goals; the treatment plan must be based on the individual’s provisional psychiatric diagnosis and incorporate, to the maximum extent possible, individual preferences (TAC Subchapter N, §354.3003
• 3PSS will conduct telephonic outreach: reminder calls, and outreach calls for missed appointments (with consent from person receiving services)
• PSS will co-facilitate support and educational groups and offer peer-led support groups
• PSS will work in close collaboration with clinical staff in the assessment and service planning for patients and offer resources for SDOH which have limited, or hindered patients access to whole person care services
• To perform evidence-based care coordination to support prevention of hospitalizations by supporting QMHP and collaborating with care team to assist with care gap closures and wraparound services relevant to Peer Support qualifications
• The PSS will work with the patient to provide the following range of services and support to resources in the community, as requested by the patient, according to their care plan
• A Peer Support Specialist must not: Practice psychotherapy, Make Clinical or diagnostic assessments, Dispense expert opinions, Engage in any services that requires a license, or Falsify any documentation related to application, training, testing, certification, or services provided

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Familiarity with office equipment: computer keyboarding, calculators, photocopiers, and faxes
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to work with people of all socioeconomic levels
• Strong team player with a focus on collaboration
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Patient/Client advocate for quality health care and services familiar with community resources
• Good knowledge of recovery resources like the 12-step program, NA, AA, community support
• The ability to be on call for emergencies and work on weekends and public holidays
• Pass criminal history and registry checks as described in 1 TAC §354.3201

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Bilingual ability in Spanish

Required Education and Experience:

• Must become certified as a Peer Support Recovery Specialist within six months of hire date
• Demonstrate current self-directed recovery for at least 2 years since discharge from a substance use program
• High School diploma or GED
• First-hand experience with substance abuse or mental health history or both
• Be willing to appropriately share his or her own recovery story with the person receiving the services
• Valid driver’s license and own transportation

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience with de-escalation techniques

Supervision Responsibilities:

• None

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally required to sit
• Frequently required to talk and stand
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific frequently vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision, Color vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception, and Ability to adjust focus

Work Environment:

• BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS EXPOSURE LEVEL: 2 (MEDIUM)
• Noise Level:Moderate

\Putting Our Heart into Your Care\
MyCHN (Community Health Network) is a local healthcare provider dedicated to providing excellence in care and service. We currently operate in Brazoria, Harris, and Galveston counties.
MyCHN (Community Health Network) is a healthcare organization with 14 locations throughout the greater Houston area that offers multiple services for whole-person care.