Peer Support Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This is a responsible position delivering peer support services to consumers who suffer from substance use problems in an residential substance use treatment setting. Peer support services are defined as helping relationships between individuals served and a Certified Missouri Peer Specialist or Missouri Recovery Support Specialist-Peer that promote respect, trust, and empower individuals to make changes and decisions to enhance their lives. Peer support services are directed toward achievement of specific goals that have been specified in the individualized treatment plan. The work assignment may be at a single location or at multiple treatment sites and involve travel.

An employee in this class provides peer support services to assist consumers in their personal recovery process including addressing such issues as: overcoming denial, recognizing feelings and behavior, encouraging personal responsibility, and constructively using leisure time. Duties may include some or all of the following: promoting dialogues on recovery and resilience; teaching and modeling symptom management and problem solving skills; using the stages in recovery concept to promote self-determination; and facilitating group education sessions. All work is in accordance with the requirements of the Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and other applicable regulatory agencies. Work is performed under the general supervision of a program manager and reviewed through direct observation, reports and staff conferences.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Work may include, but is not limited to, the following examples:

• Remains alert during working hours; attends work as scheduled, and complies with the attendance policies.
• Provides culturally sensitive, recovery support services directed at needs identified in the individualized treatment plan.
• Monitors and records consumer participation and progress against treatment plan goals in a timely manner, maintaining clear, concise and well organized information in the consumer's electronic health record.
• Shares lived experiences of recovery, models successful recovery behaviors, and supports the use of recovery tools.
• Adheres to established professional ethical and behavioral standards of conduct and continues professional development.
• Assists individuals with identifying strengths and personal resources to aid in their setting and achieving recovery goals.
• Maintains the confidentiality of consumer information.
• Supports efforts to find and maintain competitive integrated employment.
• Develops and maintains effective professional rapport and therapeutic relationships with consumers and their family members as appropriate. Receives positive consumer satisfaction reports and positive response from consumers.
• Helps individuals connect with other consumers and their communities at large in order to develop and expand a network for information and support.
• Helps individuals to make independent choices and take a proactive role in their recovery.
• Assists with consumer's participation in health and wellness activities.
• Develops and maintains effective communication and professional, cooperative working relationships with members of staff, public assistance and social service organizations.Dresses in appropriate business attire, is well groomed, and professional in appearance.
• Performs other related work, as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to establish a professional and therapeutic rapport with consumers; to assist, and exercise tact, patience, respect and understanding of others.

Ability to act decisively, when necessary, to protect consumers; to make judgments about crisis situations and carry out appropriate course of action.

Ability to work effectively with persons from diverse cultures and backgrounds and to respect individual differences.

Knowledge of substance abuse recovery process and ability to apply principles in assisting others.

Ability to collect and analyze information in making decisions concerning a consumer's treatment.

Skill in resolving conflicts and negotiating with others.

Ability to motivate and engage consumers in the recovery process

Knowledge of current resources available to persons with substance use problems.

Ability to accept constructive criticism and positive feedback.
Ability to manage a caseload of persons suffering from substance abuse problems.Ability to work harmoniously and professionally with employees, consumers, consumer families, guardians, other agencies, and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and through legible and clear writing.

Ability to maintain organized records.

Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.

Ability to recognize potential, ethical problems and address in ethical manner.

Ability to plan and organize working time effectively.

Ability to work with autonomy or with minimum direction.

Proficiency in use of computers and knowledge of basic software

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

The following education and experience qualifications are the minimum requirement used to admit or reject applicants for consideration.

High school diploma or GED, and Peer Support Specialist Certification

Understanding of recovery process through academic training, relevant work, or personal recovery experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Individual must be currently recognized by the Missouri Department of Mental Health as a Certified Missouri Peer Specialist or the Missouri Credentialing Board as a Missouri Recovery Support Specialist-Peer.

No candidate may be considered for employment who is, or has been for the past two (2) years under the supervision of Federal, State, County or Municipal Corrections Department nor have any pending felony or misdemeanor charges other than minor traffic charges.

Driving may be required for this position. The successful candidate must have and remain in possession of a valid current driver's license, automobile insurance, and be insurable under the agency's motor vehicle insurance policy.

All candidates for employment must meet the established minimum qualifications for employment as identified by the applicable regulatory agencies.