Peer Specialist

Program: RESTORE

The overall goal is to provide treatment in a secure setting with a focus on substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, change the client’s criminal thinking patterns, stabilize their substance use and/or mental illness, and assist in the transition into the community through vocational training and peer support.

Position Summary:  Provides peer coaching and mentoring to client’s and graduates of First Step Recovery Programs as part of their Discharge Continuing Care Plan. Promotes recovery through community services and assists in removing barriers to recovery.

Educational Requirements:  High school diploma or equivalent (required). Certification in Recovery Coaching or Peer-to-Peer Counseling (preferred).

Special Skills:  Knowledge of substance abuse treatment; working knowledge of community resources; advocating skills; strong people skills to provide excellent internal and external customer service

Position Duties:

• Serve as a personal guide and mentor in management of personal and family recovery through follow-up contact and service connections within the recovery community.
• Assists clients in removing personal and environmental obstacles to recovery, through assessing needs and community services.
• Provides linkage to the Recovery Community through knowledge and contacts within the recovery community. Engages members and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed towards member’s individual.
• Provides motivation through support in order to encourage participation in aftercare appointments.
• Provides referrals to the clients for outside agencies as needed and provides accurate and timely documentation within the charts.
• Maintains inter- and intradepartmental workflow by fostering a spirit of cooperation.
• Maintains all required paperwork and billing documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES  

Demonstrates Dependability:  

• Arrives to work on time according to Lightshare Behavioral Wellness & Recovery policies. 

• Uses leave time according to Lightshare Behavioral Wellness & Recovery policies. 

• Completes documentation/paperwork and projects within deadlines. 

Demonstrates Flexibility & Initiative:  

• Assumes additional responsibilities and a willingness to assist colleagues. 

• Works different shifts when necessary. 

• Recommends program changes and improvements. 

Demonstrates Teamwork:  

• Maintains an overall work attitude of cooperation and professionalism in all interactions with agency staff and  community professionals. 

• Attends and participates in required staff meetings and agency-wide committees. 

• Receptive to direction and feedback from supervisor 

Demonstrates Professionalism: 

• Conducts self in a professional manner with colleagues, peers, and persons served. 

• Recognizes the rights of persons served; and will protect persons served privacy at all times by following Lightshare Behavioral Wellness & Recovery, State, and Federal mandated privacy procedures and regulations.  

• Adheres to Lightshare Behavioral Wellness & Recovery Code of Ethics at all times. 

• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, laws, and regulations under which Lightshare operates.