Peer Support Specialist

Definition of Position: Under the direct supervision of the administrator and the clinical director, peer support counselors are staff, who have lived experience of substance abuse or addictions. The cornerstone to this position of recovery support is that they have lived an experience that is deeply valued by some clients in recovery and addiction treatment. The long term treatment outcomes are sometimes improved when people have help linking to community based recovery supports.

The Peer and recovery support staff provide outreach and engagement with the clients that offers an introduction to recovery, and some hope, for people that strive to be in recovery, but may not know how to achieve this without the added support of the peer specialist. Primary focus is to guide people through the difficult adjustments and challenges that recovery may bring to the client. The peer specialist will work directly with counselors, therapist and any other team member that may be a part of the clients treatment, making sure to deliver clinical and supportive services as dictated by the agency. The Peer Specialist is expected to integrate skills, concepts and recovery models that are in line with certification.

Desirable Experience, Education and Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma/ GED and relevant work/life experiences

• Minimum Two years' experience working with individuals experiencing substance abuse or mental health conditions.

• Certification as a National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist

• Position requires provider to have past experience in one or more of the following areas: substance use disorder treatment and sustained recovery, mental health treatment and sustained recovery, and or past department of correction offenses that are now resolved.

• Ability to exercise independent judgement while representing the agency and providing service.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Continuous attendance of trainings to remain up to date with the latest education for Behavioral Health Services.

• Knowledge of 12-step, SMART Recovery, and Celebrate Recovery Programs.

Performance of Knowledge

General knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of substance abuse counseling and education, facilities, programs, and related resources available for rehabilitation, education and training of substance abusers, policies and procedures pertaining to legal, medical, and mental health programs, leadership and decision making skills, federal and state alcohol and drug abuse laws, rules and regulations, illegal substances, drug classifications and psychiatric medications used to treat abusers of alcohol and/or drugs, concepts principles and techniques used in screening, assessment and evaluation of abusers of alcohol and/or drugs, counseling and treatment of substance abusers in group and individual settings, ASAM levels of service and treatment and the current edition of the DSM, psychological and physiological effects of and evaluation of abusers of alcohol and/or drugs, the purpose of rapport building, the management, stages of change and readiness for treatment.

Performance Skills

Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication, establishing a therapeutic relationship individually and group settings administering screening instruments, generally screen for physical and mental health status, gathering relevant information and collecting data, writing accurately, concisely, and legible, intervening appropriately with a client who may be intoxicated, assessing suicide and/or violence potential, determine and confirming effects of substance use on the client, assessing client readiness for treatment, making appropriate recommendations for treatment and effectively discussing this with treatment team providers, use of the current DSM and other diagnostic standards, using appropriate placement criteria, developmental levels, gender, racial, and ethnic cultures, working collaboratively with staff and consultants, maintaining non-judgmental relationships with clients and other service providers, assessing and adherence to client treatment plans, observing, recognizing, assessing client progress, use of motivational techniques, recognizing client strengths, presenting inconsistencies between client behaviors and goals, re-framing and redirecting negative behaviors, recognizing and addressing underlying client issues that may impede treatment progress, teaching life skills appropriate to the clients situation and skill level, assisting the client to ventilate emotions and normalize feelings, effectively dealing with different types of resistant behaviors, transference and counter-transference issues, preparing concise discharge summaries, making ethical decisions that reflect unique needs and situations, identifying overt and covert feelings and their impact on the counseling relationship, assessing personal education needs, selecting and participating appropriate training programs, identifying professional and limitations.

Performance Abilities

To read technical, legal and scientific documents, interact and communicate effectively with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with subordinate staff, supervisors, legal personal,

medical and mental health professionals, write concise, logical and grammatically correct case notes and reports, efficient use of the computer program, explain policies, procedures, theories and concepts to clients, make oral group presentations, follow through on assignments as directed, communicate effectively in conflict situations, organize work flow to accomplish established objectives, write concise, logical and grammatically correct analytical reports assessing the progress of clients in alcohol and drug treatment programs, coordinate and facilitate appropriate follow up activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Peer specialist will provide direct and indirect clinical and supportive services to consumers in the community in an effort to minimize risk and decrease the likelihood of an escalating crisis.

• Complete all required records as directed by agency protocols and in alliance with relevant expectations and requirements.

• Peer specialist will promote agency philosophy within the community

• Provide individual and group counseling for alcohol and drug recovery

• Function as the primary or secondary facilitator in group for a designated number of clients based on the need of the center

• Coordinates the community resources on a regular basis in regard to refer clients whose treatment planning must be accomplished in cooperation with referring agencies

• Formulate aftercare plans and supervise them in following them

• Will work a minimum of 40 hours

• Office space will be provided at one or more of the two locations in Carson City and Minden

• Perform related duties as explained in job description

• Assess clients for level of care and write reports

• Maintain appropriate paperwork for client file

• Serve as a role model and active participant in supporting client in meeting goals

• Attend staff, team and department meetings

• Teach self-advocacy, problem-solving and independent living skills and assist client in functioning, maintaining and improving

• Actively participate as a team member to meet client needs to ensure success

• Build and foster healthy peer/ client relationships

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Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Peer Support: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person