Peer Support Specialist

Program/Dept: FSP/REACH/New Ventures
Reports to: Program Director
Classification: Regular, Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Shift: Mon to Fri 8:30 AM to 5 PM (up to 20 hours a week).

About Us: Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization that supported over 48,000 youth and adults across six counties in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area last year. ​
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Caminar's mission is to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment and wrap-around services delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. The organization was founded in 1964, and our vision is to be a BEACON of SAFETY, COMPASSION, and FULFILLMENT, supporting all those in our communities who need it most. ​

Caminar values diversity. People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faiths, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome here. To learn more, please visit www.caminar.org.

Position Description: The peer is responsible for providing community-based support services to mentally ill adults using a recovery based model and systems integration approach to services delivered. Peer’s are expected to work a schedule of 10 to 20 hours per week. Candidates must be flexible to adjust to the needs of a fast paced environment, demonstrate effective problem solving skills and prioritize duties daily.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide direct services in an outpatient, community-based service model to severely and persistently mentally ill adults.
• Provides self-help recovery services (WRAP) as well as other peer wellness services.
• Supports clients in learning how to make good choices for themselves.
• Assist in resolution of conflicts between and among roommates and housemates.
• Educate, encourage, support and assist clients in all aspects of their individual care, including their physical, social, emotional, educational, recreational and vocational development in a manner which promotes their dignity and independence.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation and/or progress notes as required, associated with individuals’ progress and other activities. Document in EHR by end of work shift.
• Verbally communicate services provided, observations of client symptoms/functioning/non-at-risk concerns about clients with to case managers, program directors and medication clinic staff in person or via voicemail by the end of each shift.
• Report all “at-risk,” unusual, or illegal activity by clients to appropriate members of the team (i.e. program director, case manager, medical staff or Emergency On-call) immediately.
• Adheres to mandatory reporting laws and HIPAA confidentiality laws.
• Assists with crisis situations as appropriate, complying with protocols and procedures regarding de-escalation techniques.
• Perform administrative duties as needed. Administrative duties may include admin support to the Program Director.
• Listen to clients concerns and communicate/advocate those concerns with Caminar staff.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team to contribute to the development and on-going implementation of client treatment plans.
• Support, promote and teach good standards of health & hygiene, social skills and independence; Assist in monitoring cleanliness and maintenance of client living environments, providing assistance as necessary in order to meet minimum standards and reporting observations of conditions in a timely and thorough manner.
• May occasionally provide transportation support for clients to scheduled appointments, groups, recreational activities and other community-based activities as a way to build rapport with clients, consistent with role as a Peer and approved by Program Director. In some programs this may not be required.
• Support and assist clients with maintenance of their personal health, including attainment of, attendance at and follow through with medical, psychiatric, and dental care appointments.
• Attend weekly staff/medication support scheduling meeting in cooperation with the multi-disciplinary team, sharing information regarding all important interventions.
• Assure that data and information related to client services provided is accurately recorded and forwarded regularly to designated personnel.
• Attend staff meetings at least two times per month.
• Actively attends and participates in regular in-service trainings.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.
• On a regular and consistent basis demonstrate flexibility by actively volunteering/participating in an on-call rotation to meet the emergent needs of the community we serve.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to treatment destinations, document and report mileage according to agency policies and procedures and comply with agency driver and vehicle policies at all times. In some programs this may not be required.
• Submit accurate and complete time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.