PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (PARENT)

Job Duties

• Mets with new youth or young adult upon entry into the project.
• Participates in mental health/substance use disorder screenings, brief interventions, crisis interventions, safety planning and follow-up, case management/care coordination, clinical staffing, treatment planning, and discharge coordination.
• Develops culturally specific examples of the resilience topics to ensure project's cultural resonance.
• Meets with parents weekly to train them on Resilience Boosting Promises practice.
• Facilitates BHS staff trainings on the Developmental Stages of Youth and Young Adults.
• Facilitates parent support groups.
• Follows participants' individualized treatment plans developed with the family, consumer, and clinical team.
• Represents parents in all planning sessions.
• Attends Behavioral Health Community Coalition (BHCC) meetings in an advisory capacity.
• Ensures adherence to data collection requirements and enters accurate and timely data into the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Attends mandatory position training.
• Maintains consumer confidentiality in accordance with 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPPA.
• Attends all required staff meetings.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of mental health and substance use conditions, including suicide risk factors, prevention strategies, trauma-informed care, recovery principles, peer support practices, and available community resources.
• Ability to engage in calm, compassionate, and professional conversations about sensitive issues, while providing appropriate support, guidance, and referrals.
• Strong communication, active listening, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain supportive peer relationships.
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, ethical standards, professional boundaries, and the ability to ensure HIPAA and 42 CFR compliance.
• Skill in documentation, record-keeping, navigating electronic health systems, and understanding basic billing procedures.
• Effective problem-solving, time management, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to crisis situations, following established safety and response protocols.
• Ability to share lived experience in a professional, supportive manner that promotes hope and models recovery and emotional resilience.
• Ability to work independently in community-based settings and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including Alaska Native communities.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and report to work in a timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• One (1) years’ experience working with AN/AI population and experience providing culturally specific services.
• One (1) years’ experience in behavioral health.
• One (1) years’ experience working with electronic health records.

Prior Experience

• Associate’s degree in behavioral health or related field.
• Experience working with transition-aged youth and young adults.
• Lived experience with homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness and/or using mental health services.