Youth Peer Support Specialist - Adolescent Substance Use

Job Description:

Under routine supervision, assists in implementing assigned client’s treatment/recovery plan through provision of adjunctive case management services, education, and peer support services.

This position supports youth chemical dependency services, Candidates must be certified as Youth Peer Support Specialist, there is a community based component.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Serves as an active member of the client’s treatment team, including participation in team meetings and treatment planning meetings. Assists clients in development of recovery plan, including psychiatric advance directives and crisis plan. Provides psycho-education with focus on illness management and peer support. Implements and coordinates recovery plans for individual clients in assigned population group, including evaluation, consultation, and education, and follow-up services. Serves as role model for clients by sharing own recovery process and teaching effective coping techniques and self-help strategies. Provides case management, resourcing, service collaboration for individual clients as extension of case management services. Maintains accurate, thorough records on all assigned cases and uses documentation to assist clients in evaluating progress. Provides advocacy services on behalf of clients. Informs supervisor, and other members of treatment team as indicated, of issues/concerns related to individual clients. Participates in required trainings to maintain certification.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or GED. 
• Completion of state-certified peer support specialist training. 
• Peer Support Specialist Certification 
• Per Kentucky regulation 908 KAR 2:240 to practice as a Youth Peer Support Specialist “the individual will need to be between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age. Once the individual has reached the age of 35, will no longer be able to function as a Youth Peer Support Specialist”, and will need to seek another position within the agency.

EXPERIENCE                 

• Over six and up to twelve months of experience.
• Good interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills. 
• Knowledge of SCS programs and services, policy, and procedure. 
• Knowledge of applicable population group and principles/philosophy of recovery.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS

• Position requires lifting of 20 pounds maximum, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of items weighing up to ten pounds. 
• Normal work tasks may involve exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissue. 
• May involve 24-hour on-call responsibilities.
• Eighteen years of age or older. 

REQUIRED SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Communicates effective “elevator speech” regarding role and benefits of a Peer Support Specialist to use with providers and clients
• Shares their lived experience and recovery story skillfully and appropriately
• Provides structured and scheduled, non-clinical but therapeutic activities that promote socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, preservation, and enhancement of community living skills
• Documents the service to align with clients’ individualized, comprehensive Treatment Plan, with intervention specifically addressing client’s progress towards a chosen and relevant Treatment Plan objective
• Uses evidence-based protocols such as WRAP and WHAM to assist clients in developing and progressing towards holistic health objectives
• Demonstrates effective application of ethics and boundaries rules specific to the complexity of the Peer Support’s role
• Understanding of normal growth and development, culture/ethnicity considerations, and mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorder diagnoses relevant to age groups/populations served
• Manages client caseload, client services, and activities to maximize direct care client time and reach expected productivity targets

Time Type:

We continually help our community and employees flourish... one life at a time. As a Seven Counties Services employee there are many benefits to enjoy. Below are just some of the great benefits you might be eligible for with Seven Counties Services.

• Health & Wellness
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Health Savings Account
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability - Company Paid

• Financial Wellbeing
  • Competitive Compensation Packages
  • Life Insurance - Company Paid
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - Company Paid
  • 403b Retirement Plan with Company Funded Matching
  • Retirement and Financial Planning Services

• Career Development and Growth
  • Tuition Assistance Plans
  • Loan Forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Service Corps & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance
  • Clinical Supervision toward licensure and reimbursement for certain license applications
  • At Seven Counties Services training is one of our highest priorities. We provide company paid professional training for various skills, certifications, and continuing education
  • Opportunities for growth and movement - We encourage our employees to consider new growth opportunities with us
  • Leadership Academy for our rising stars, supervisors, and leaders
  • Seven Counties Services and Center for Clinical Excellence provide staff with industry best practices and processes

• Work Life Balance
  • Paid Time Off - Generous PTO for Vacations, Illness, Personal Days, Etc. (10 Paid Holidays)
  • Flexible Work Schedules to promote a Healthy Work Life Balance
  • Employee Assistance Program - assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being