Peer Support Specialist

About the role

Provide education, assessment, intervention, outreach and transportation services to Veterans, working with patients individually, introducing step-work, and educating around other self-help modalities. Develop and maintain relationships with patients in the building, provide psychoeducation, aid in patient engagement and/or ATA blocks, coordinate speaker meetings, maintain calendar, and coordinate with Alumni Services Coordinator. Organize community-building activities that are recovery-based.

Responsibilities

• Provide transportation to VA appointments and/or other community appointments
• Lead groups/lectures including alternative self-help meetings (Intro to NA, Dharma, SMART Recovery, etc.) at designated times as determined by the Program Director
• Meet with clients within 24 hours of admission to complete a patient engagement
• Meet with patients weekly to review individual work and self-help introductions
• Maintain support in clinical programming with detox and veterans/first responders
• Provide support to Alumni Coordinator with scheduling Alumni speakers
• Work with patients to develop a daily routine focusing on behaviors needed for long-term recovery
• Orient patients to the facility, program, and schedules
• Share personal recovery experiences, demonstrate and model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies
• Coordinate speakers to engage with patients in evening programming
• Assist in patient engagement and ATA blocking
• Meet with patients individually to provide treatment work including step work
• Complete Exit Surveys with discharging or step-down patients
• Comply with facility policies and procedures
• Participate in all staff meetings and obtain necessary information
• Approach patients, family members, significant others, and visitors with a respectful, caring manner
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information and records; and of facility proprietary, privileged, and/or confidential information
• Communicate and problem solve via the chain of command
• Deliver care in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory manner, sensitive to patient and staff diversity
• Seek corrective criticism and evaluate suggestions objectively
• Complete daily tasks as assigned and document the delivery of all patient services
• Promote a favorable/positive work atmosphere
• Attend in-services and educational training as necessary and assigned
• Seek out learning experiences and incorporate new knowledge into practice
• Maintain flexibility and adaptability to expected and unexpected changes in the work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in the field of substance abuse or knowledge of 12 steps
• Customer service experience
• Computer literacy
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in substance abuse preferred
• Valid driver’s license

Schedule

Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:30 pm

Pay

$15 – $20 per hour