Peer Specialist- Si Se Puede

Description

About Us:

Encompass Community Services is the largest provider of health and human services in Santa Cruz County. We have been delivering culturally appropriate and evidence-based safety net services to our community for nearly 50 years. As a health equity organization, Encompass is committed to providing everyone in the community with access to the high-quality health and human services they need and deserve to enjoy the benefit of a long and healthy life. We operate nearly 40 programs providing a wide range of services related to family and social well-being, early childhood education, behavioral health, housing and more.
 
Encompass has a continuum of care for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment including residential treatment, outpatient services, sober living environments (SLE) and Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) services for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. 

Our MAT program offers treatment with the use of medications combined with behavioral health support. We place an emphasis on harm-reduction and care coordination to individuals with a SUD who are in or entering Encompass’s office-based or residential treatment programs. The desired outcome of this approach is sustained recovery. 

Job Summary:

Are you a peer looking for ways to grow and support your community? Are you interested in using your personal lived experience to help others in their journey? We currently have an opening for a brand-new exciting position as a Peer Specialist. This benefited position is full time (40 hours/week). Pay is dependent on skill set, ranging between $24-$28 per hour. The hours are Monday-Friday between business hours with national holidays off. Support is provided in-person at our SUD residential program, Si Se Puede (SSP), and our outpatient program. Under the general supervision of a lead clinician, the peer specialist is responsible for the primary responsibilities listed below.  Position requires bilingual ability in both English and Spanish.

Primary Responsibilities: 

1.    Interface with persons served in early recovery and act as their advocate. 
2.    Develop peer specialist plan of care for each person served. 
3.    Work closely with an interdisciplinary clinical team and person served to reach goals. 
4.    Perform data entry requirements for program and grant. 
5.    Build relationships and trust within the community including other treatment programs to help reduce barriers for persons served who are interested in services. 
6.    Meet persons served out in community locations that include but are not limited to homeless encampments, shelters, sober living environments (SLEs), drop-in centers and treatment centers. 
7.    Provide peer support for individuals experiencing substance use disorders, mental health conditions, those living outside, as well as other marginalized populations.
8.    Attend weekly case conferencing with team colleagues.  
9.    Meet MediCal billing requirements. 
10.    Attend bi-weekly clinical group supervision. 
11.    Provide input to improve access to services within Encompass and to increase outreach to persons served in the community.  
12.    Enhance collaboration between community resources (i.e. NAMI, Monarch Services, etc.) and Encompass treatment programs. 
13.    Attend onsite residential staff and clinical meetings weekly.  
14.    Provide some transportation support to persons served.   
15.    Coordinate care for persons served discharging from residential treatment through linkage to resources and follow up.  
16.    Collaborate with other Encompass peer specialists on outreach efforts. 
17.    Co-facilitate with onsite residential nurse MAT Support Groups. 
18.    Perform additional duties as assigned and created. 

Required Qualifications:
1.    Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
2.    Be self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from a substance use disorder and be willing to share experiences to encourage and advocate for others in their recovery process.
3.    A strong commitment to recovery. 
4.    Confident and firm in their personal recovery. 
5.    Knowledge of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. 
6.    1-2 years professional peer experience. 
7.    Proof of driver license, personal vehicle and car insurance.
8.    Successful completion of Peer Specialist MediCal state training within the first 30 days from hire. 
9.    Successfully pass the Peer Specialist MediCal certification examination following training within the first 45 days from hire.
10.    Proficient in basic computer skills.  
11.    Agree, in writing, to adhere to the Code of Ethics. 
12.    Willing to obtain CPR and overdose response training within the first 90 days from hire. 
13.    Must have a health examination including a screening for tuberculosis within 90 days prior to employment or within 7 days after employment and at least annually thereafter.
14.    Demonstrate skill in written and verbal communication.
15.    Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, and races. 
16.    Must be able to pass a criminal record clearance.

Wages & Benefits: 
We prioritize the well-being of our team as much as the community we serve. Our comprehensive health benefits reflect this commitment. We offer full-time employees medical and dental insurance plan that ensures peace of mind for themselves and their families. We go beyond traditional care by also offering our employees acupuncture and chiropractic, embracing a holistic approach to health that aligns with our values of care and compassion.     

Our team’s future matters just as much as the present. That’s why we offer a 403(b) retirement plan, providing a foundation for a secure retirement. We also recognize the need for work-life balance, so Encompass offers a competitive package of 17 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 14 additional paid holidays. These benefits are thoughtfully pro-rated for part-time positions, affirming our commitment to fairness and flexibility. 

Encompass Community Services is committed to racial equity and standing against any kind of discrimination. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is representative of the many communities we serve. We strongly value providing equal opportunities for our employees, such as providing the training and education needed to excel in this and other positions. 

Our agency recognizes the value of racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity and strives towards the overarching goal of ensuring that all services promote healing, and integrate the values and standards of providing culturally informed services.  

Qualifications

Salary : $23 - $28