RESTORE Peer Support Specialist

UnityPoint Health Information

Under the supervision of the Coordinator or Supervisor, provides an enhanced level of support for persons experiencing early episode psychosis utilizing the Navigate model. The NAVIGATE Program is an innovative treatment program that serves adolescents and young adults who are within two years of experiencing the onset of psychosis. The Peer Specialist on the team would help train clients experiencing early psychosis and serve as a role model and advocate in the areas of entitlements, self-advocacy and empowerment, daily activities, housing, education, and employment utilizing a client-centered approach while maintaining a youth-friendly, person-centered, recovery-focused, and strengths-based service delivery model. Duties include a variety of supportive services and direct interventions with consumers in accordance with treatment plans developed by professional personnel. Responsible for carrying out all activities of the program/sub-unit in such a manner that fulfills RESTORE’s mission, policies and procedures.

1:1 Visits

• Sharing personal experiences to increase optimism and hope.
• Upon a mutual agreement; meeting with clients the same time each week.
• Accompanying clients to visit schools, campuses, potential places of employment or other locations they are interested in to increase client’s comfort level.
• Providing education about community resources

Advocacy within treatment services

• Help person collect their thoughts and have their voice heard; support the person to understan what is written about them; be present while assessment is happening as support person.
• Supporting someone evaluate and communicate their concerns and desired medication changes supporting someone experiencing medication withdraw; supporting someone come up with a plan toward independence with med management, changes, etc.
• Supporting the person to get their voice heard during the treatment planning process (by being present, helping them plan before the meeting, and/or advocacy); Supporting the person to change their plan as desired; Advocating to keep treatment goals that are not self-identified or are otherwise inconsistent with a recovery-oriented approach out of the plan

Facilitation of groups

• Facilitating illness self-management groups, peer support groups, helping with family support groups. Conducting or co-leading activity groups, such as groups centered on healthy living, yoga, artwork, community outings, music, and cooking

Forced hospitalization/commitment hearings

• Advocate for the person’s voice to be heard in the process; Stay with them as a support during meetings, assessments and while waiting; Help them gather information, understand what is happening and what is likely to happen next; Help them understand their rights; Help them get personal belongings that they’re asking for; Help them make plans for taking care of pets, bills, etc.;
• Help them present WRAP plans/Advanced Directives to relevant personnel; Helping to educate their lawyer; Helping them plan what they will say when testifying on their own behalf;
• Accompanying them to court; Testifying as an advocate if you think your testimony might help offer support/educate the court

Outreach

• Encouraging potential participants to join the program. Providing outreach and aiding in recruitment.
• Attending various conferences in the community to increase awareness of services

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding our organization.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements as required.
• Is knowledgeable of agency compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of the Corporate Compliance Committee. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by program/department staff related to compliance.

Education: High School Diploma or a G.E.D. Required.

Experience: A minimum of one (1) years’ experience interacting with persons with emotional impairments required. Must have experienced a significant disruption in their lives from the onset of a severe mental illness, have received public mental health services currently or in the past for the mental illness (preferably with NAVIGATE - RESTORE) and are now in recovery. Preferred Relevant lived experience with psychosis. Familiarity with Entitlements, Housing and Mental Health Service Delivery System or willingness to pursue training/information as directed. Two years of active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs, or participant-run organizations or similar experiences or programs. The Peer Specialist should also be someone who has made good progress toward his or her own recovery.

License(s)/Certification(s): Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons. Completion of certified Peer Recovery Specialist training administered by the Iowa Board of Certification or ability to complete within six months of hire.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to use own experience to inspire hope and belief in recovery;

• Support self-determination through connections from a mutual stance;

• Facilitate self-exploration and discovery, etc;

• Act as a change agent to support environments, systems and approaches to move forward.

• Must be able to work with people from a strengths perspective, support peoples recovery process and support dignity of risk.

• Ideal candidate is able to work with people respectfully, navigate regulations, recognize roles of different workers and work independently.

• Additional expectations include promptness and time management, ability to interact with other co-workers and supervisor, communicate needs and respond to others’ communications.

Other: Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.