The Peer Support Specialist assists in the delivery of substance abuse treatment by meeting the patient’s immediate needs for direction, information, motivation, guidance, nourishment, and safe escort outside the facility. They also provide support services as needed.

TASK AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To be responsible for understanding client’s rights policy and procedures.
• Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. During these sessions the PSS will support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.
• Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk.

1. identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and PSS to share their experiences.
2. By using identified literature, media, etc. clients will gain hope, learn to identify their strengths, and combat negative self-talk.

• Teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience.
• Communication regarding patient activity to the counseling and nursing staff.
• Aware of the chain of command and uses the available professional personnel for direction.
• Observe patients for behavior inconsistent with treatment goals.
• Assure that patients adhere to program activity schedule.
• Escort the patient to destinations outside the facility.
• Transport the patients to floors throughout the facility when needed.
• Make room checks on all patients.
• Facilitate Morning Meeting and Step Groups.
• Conduct an intake interview with newly admitted patients including unit orientation.
• Assist in the de-escalation of a behaviorally compromised client.
• Provide intervention for client's attempting to leave against medical advice (AMA).
• Assist in identifying reasons to finish treatment, and consequences of leaving.
• Ensure the well-being of clients who are seen but not admitted (SBNA). This includes preventing lingering by escorting clients off the premises.
• Ensure the safety of patients when leaving the facility. For example, walk client to the bus; wait with client for taxi pick-up.
• Participates in daily review calls with leadership, providing valuable analysis and feedback about patient quality-of-care.
• Conducts fact-finding, assesses the overall gravity of patient situations, and meets with compliance offer to discuss issues. Based on an analysis of the situation, collaborates with the compliance officer to assist all parties in a resolution of the patient disputes 
• Prepares concise, factual reports and correspondence to present to the compliance officer.
• Provides daily reports of activity throughout the day and submit to Clinical Director.
• Act as a role model for patients and peers.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.