Peer Support Specialist
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Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
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JOB TITLE:
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Peer Support Specialist
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JOB CLASSIFICATION:
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NON-EXEMPT
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STATUS:
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Full-Time
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PROGRAM:
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Healing Hearts Family Counseling
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LOCATION:
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Greenwood, MS
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REPORTS TO:
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Program Director
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UPDATED:
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06/2023
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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTIES:
The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the Wrap around Team and plays an active role in designing a Recovery Support Plan for children and their families. Peer Support Specialists use their own personal experience to personalize care and assist clients and their families in understanding of services, utilizing referrals, and applying recommendations from other professionals Peer support focuses on assisting with the needs the family must access services of many different professionals, agencies, health care facilities, and human services programs. It typically involves assessing family needs, connecting with community resources, and acting as a service coordinator for the family. Knowledge of best practices, working cooperatively with other agencies within the system of care framework, family friendliness and wraparound philosophy are a necessity.
ESSE NTIAL D U TIES:
- Promote client's health and ensure client's goals are developed and documented.
- Provide education and resources to clients and their families.
- Engage clients and families eligible to participate in Healing Hearts program.
- Identify community resources and provide ongoing support to clients and their families.
- Promote self-direction and skill development for clients and their families.
- Provide self-management and support and development of self-management plans for clients and their families.
- Aid clients and their families in accessing needed self-help and family peer support services.
- Advocate for clients and their families.
- Aid clients and their families in accessing needed self-help and family peer support services.
- Provide necessary support services to clients and their families.
- Assist clients and their families to identify and develop support networks.
- Connect families as peers and family support groups.
- Assist in wraparound planning processes.
- Assist in the development of crisis and other client and family-driven plans.
- All other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
- Personal experience of being the primary caregiver of a child who is consuming mental health/ substance abuse services and having worked on own family’s recovery.
- Demonstrated ability to cope with child(ren) diagnosis.
- Experience working with children and families in a community-based program preferred.
- Knowledge of community resources.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with team members.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Computer knowledge.
- Two years of experience as a family partner is preferred.
- Must be certified by the Department of Mental Health in Peer Support.
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- An ability to work well with seriously emotionally disturbed youth using positive, strength-based principles and to relate warmly to families and children without violating personal boundaries.
- An ability to utilize training to respond appropriately in a crisis. Always putting the needs of the families and youth first and making timely contact with all parties needed to resolve crisis situations.
- An ability to utilize life experience without violating your own or other boundaries.
- An ability to follow all written and verbal instructions, and to communicate with all program staff.
- Demonstrate ability to work as a team player, including viewing the family members as equal partners in all aspects of the program.
- An ability to utilize knowledge and creativity in meeting the families' needs.
- Must have the ability to relate to a wide diversity of people in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner.
- Good organizational and time management skills. Must be able to work independently and meet assigned deadlines.
- Pleasant manner on the telephone as well as an ability to use the phone system.
- Ability to be flexible and reliability in completing whatever tasks are necessary to carry out the goals of the program.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:
- Peer Support Credential from the Department of Mental Health is required.
- Current and valid driver's license.
- Driving record that does not incur increased insurance rates.
- Proof of adequate vehicle liability insurance.
AGENCY COMPLIANCE:
- Refer to and comply with the CCI Policy and Procedural Manuals in every part of their job.
- Attend individual supervision, staff meetings, staff trainings and other meetings required.
- Enter all client activity/ services daily into the agency client database if applicable.
- Maintain all required documents in a current and orderly manner.
- Submit all reports accurately and in a timely manner per due dates adhere to all confidentiality policies, maintaining a high-level standard of confidentiality.
- Maintain a valid driver license, proof of required automobile insurance, and Child Protection requirements per policy.
- Represent the agency at events/functions as assigned.
- Always alert to the physical/mental condition of clients/children and report any suspicious situations to the person in authority.
- Must work within standards of the agency mission, philosophy, and policies/procedures.
- Reflects Catholic Charities' commitment to treating all person with dignity and respect.
- Performs other duties assigned and deemed necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the agency.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
- Manual dexterity and motor skills required in completing documentation and other duties as required.
- Must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle day or night.
- Demonstrate maturity and flexibility in dealing with emotionally demanding and stressful situations.
- Must be emotionally stable, alert, and able to work alone; self-motivated.
- Must be physically and emotionally capable of performing the essential functions of the job.
- Must be able and willing to use passive physical restraints to ensure the safety of youth, staff, and self.
- Bending and lifting are required to perform regular duties.
- Must be able to manage personal and professional stress.
- Must continue to achieve a satisfactory rating on the annual performance evaluation.