Seeking a full-time Peer Support Specialist to join our Behavioral Health Department. The Peer Support Specialist will serve as an advocate for our clients and their families to help them build the necessary community supports to attain their recovery goals. This position requires a high school diploma/GED as well as lived experience in accessing behavioral health services for self. BA/BS in Human Services or related field preferred. Excellent benefit package including IPERS. Flexible scheduling with some evenings and weekends depending on client needs. EOE AD#2512

EXPECTATION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES:

Supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, personalization, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership

GENERAL SUMMARY:

This position serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Department. The Peer Support Specialist provides face-to-face, telehealth, and telephonic support to teach and assist persons served in locating and accessing social/community recovery supports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Complete personal orientation during 3-month introductory period of employment. 
2. Treat all individuals with respect while maintaining standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and objectivity.
3. Provide direct and indirect support and education to assigned persons served, which includes the ability to:
   • Ensure safe, legal transportation for self and others as applicable.
   • Meet at times and places convenient and appropriate to persons served’ needs.
   • Effectively assess the needs of persons served in collaboration with the clinical team/supervisor.
   • Develop and maintain healthy, supportive relationships with persons served.
4. Provide orientation for individuals receiving peer support services.
5. Maintain an active workload and complete all required documentation of services provided in a timely manner within the Electronic Health Record.
6. Assist with care coordination including referral and linkage to behavioral health services.
7. Demonstrate flexibility in job duties and schedule to meet the needs of the organization and persons served, including the ability to accommodate crisis situations for persons served.
8. Attend regularly scheduled meetings and trainings to enhance job performance.
9. Perform all duties necessary to maintain the facility during their shift, including duties in other areas of responsibility as assigned.
10. Assist with maintaining public relations between the agency and community resources.
11. Lead focus groups and additional community engagement efforts to further the reduction of stigma and expand recovery community connections.
12. Participate in the total Quality Improvement Plan as called for in the Plan.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, and ABILITIES:

1.  Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
2. Ability to obtain and maintain a driver’s license, automobile, and current valid insurance in order to travel to designation locations.
3. Ability to understand and adhere to New Opportunities’ policies, practices and procedures.
4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, and various other business and community contacts.
5. Ability to work with confidential information.
6. Ability to work in a team-based environment.
7. Ability to adapt to the organization’s changing needs.
8. Ability to pass a physical examination.

NOTE: A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential functions.  All duties and responsibilities listed above are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform each duty or function proficiently.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• A BA/BS in Human Services or related degree preferred.
• Lived experience in accessing Substance Use or Mental Health services for self is required for this position.
• Completion of CCAR Training is required within the first 3 months of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This factor measures the surrounding or physical conditions under which a job must be done and the extent to which those conditions make the job disagreeable.  Consider the presence and relative amount of exposure to dust, fuel, dirt, heat fumes, contaminants, cold, noise, vibration, wetness, etc.  Normal working conditions with the absence of disagreeable conditions

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.  Furthermore, this document does not establish a contract for employment and is subject to change at the discretion of the employer.