Peer Specialist

Overview

Conducts outreach to locate, engage and attempt to enroll eligible clients/consumers/members into program services. Provides a broad array of counseling/support services and serves as a role model to individuals living with chronic mental illness, psychological trauma or substance use. Shares personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first hand insight to benefit program enrollees. Works under general supervision.

Responsibilities
• Conducts phone and field outreach to locate and enroll clients/consumers/members into programs services. Works collaboratively with team members. • Builds relationship and trust with clients/consumers/members and his/her family/caregiver and assists with their interactions with professionals on the team. • Educates clients/consumers/members about program services, benefits, and self-help techniques. Serves as a role model, advocate and mentor. Escorts clients/consumers/members to appointments as needed. • Advocates effective recovery based services on behalf of clients/consumers/members. Assists in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals. • Teaches symptom management and coping skills. Supports and encourages clients/consumers/members to take a proactive role in their recovery process. • Reviews service plans with clients/consumers/members and their families or caregivers. Provides ongoing education, guidance, support and encouragement. • Develops inventory of resources that will meet the clients/consumers/members needs as identified in the assessment process. Provides navigation services to help clients/consumers/members connect with community-based services and supports. • Documents contacts with clients/consumers/members in EMR in accordance with program policies/procedures, VNS Health standards, and regulatory requirements. • Participates in case conferences, staff meetings and training programs. • Assists clients/consumers/members with transition to alternate housing, when appropriate. • Participates in special projects and performs other related duties as assigned. • FOR Recovery Coordination Agency (RCA): • Participates in initial and ongoing trainings as necessary to maintain current knowledge of Health Home, HARP HCBS and DOH processes. • Maintains knowledge of the service providers in the HCBS, MCO and health home network if applicable. • For Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT), and Parachute Programs: • Develops a mutual self-disclosure between themselves and clients/consumers/members. Serves as a bridge between team members and participant. • Participates as part of interdisciplinary team in discussion of, planning for and actively participating in treatment goals for clients/consumers/members. • Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid driver’s license may be required, as determined by operational/regional needs

Education:
High School Diploma or the equivalent required Certified Peer Specialist certification may be required

Work Experience:
Minimum of one year experience in a mental health, health care or human services setting required Experience working with a severely mentally ill, psychological trauma, and/or substance using population preferred Effective oral /written/interpersonal communication skills and ability to work independently required Computer fluency preferred Bilingual skills as determined by operational needs may be required