Peer Specialist, Part Time (Crisis Center)

Primary Job Function and Responsibilities

• Promoting self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction;
• Assisting individuals in identifying strengths;
• Wellness goals; setting objectives, and identifying barriers;
• Attending treatment team meetings with the individual to promote the individual's use of self-directed advocacy tools;
• Assisting the individual in goal planning, assisting the individual in learning how to ask for appropriate services in the community;
• Assisting individuals in obtaining information about their benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, etc.).
• Engaging individuals in outpatient programs and services to encourage recovery;
• Modeling self-advocacy skills;
• Teaching wellness management strategies and helping individuals develop their own self-management plans/tools to use in their personal lives;
• Using manualized strategies such as IMR/WMR, WRAP, and others;
• Connecting to support groups in the community to learn from other peers, to promote hope, to problem-solve through work situations, and to decrease social isolation;
• Providing education to other staff to increase their understanding of self-advocacy and peer support roles, and to promote a culture in which an individual’s points of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into service delivery;
• Providing resources and teaching transportation skills (teaching bus routes, etc.);
• Sharing his or her own personal story to model how to choose, obtain, and maintain stability;
• Supporting individuals in making informed decisions about treatment, housing, benefits, and building community connections;
• Supporting the individuals in developing crisis plans and safety plans;
• Building social skills in the community that will enhance recovery;
• Assisting in overcoming barriers to recovery and addressing challenges;
• Assisting in obtaining the proper documentation necessary for benefits, employment, and housing;
• Assisting the individual in completing paperwork;
• Exploring aspirations with the individual;
• Leading recovery support groups and NA/AA meetings with the job seeker if appropriate

Supervision and Consultation

• Sets up supervision and consultation as needed;
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.

Record Keeping

• Maintains confidential files containing required information;
• Maintains documentation for those individuals receiving services;
• Provides timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including, Medicaid, and others.

Courteous and Respectful Behavior

• Treats consumers with care, dignity, and compassion;
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality;
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others;
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed;
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences;
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families.

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities;
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required;
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner;
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures;
• Attends to required in-service training and other workshops.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent;
• Peer Specialist Certification through State of Alabama Department of Mental Health;
• Experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred;
• Ability to work as an effective team player is essential;
• Must be 23 years of age, maintain a valid Alabama driver license and an acceptable driving record, and have proof of current liability insurance.

Knowledge Requirements

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population;
• Knowledge of cultural diversity;
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers; as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practices;
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles;
• Knowledge of available community employment resources;
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with psychiatric disorders.