Peer Specialist
Job Description
Job Description
Job Summary : Under immediate to general supervision, provides peer support services. May serve as a patient / client / consumer advocate.
Provides consumer information and peer support in consumers in emergencies, outpatient or inpatient settings. Performs a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in regaining control over their own recovery processes.
Function as a role model of competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills.
Essential Functions : Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Provides peer support services to assigned patient / client / consumers.
- Serves as an advocate for consumers within the facility and the community.
- Participates in treatment team activities.
- Leads recovery dialogues / self-help sessions with consumers.
- Participates in monitoring of consumer support services and programs.
- Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading books, journals and the like.
- Provide transportation for consumers.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the clinical / service needs of all population(s).
- Demonstrates knowledge of and skill in the provision of age-specific care.
Required Knowledge & Skills :
- Knowledge of working knowledge of the nature of serious mental illness; self-help techniques, provides enhance consumers empowerment skills and successful community living, community resources and information on specific topics, as assigned.
- Knowledge of consumers’ rights; agency and federal policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Knowledge of client record documentation requirements; and implementation of client services plan development.
- Knowledge of crisis intervention protocol.
- Knowledge of peer individual and group therapy techniques
- Observe, record and report on an individual’s functioning;
- Ability to read and understand assessments, evaluations, observation, and use in developing treatment plan.
- Ability to assist consumers cultivate their independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
- Ability to empower other individuals with disabilities to explore new options, resources, relationships, feelings, attitudes and rights.
- Ability to effectively interact and communicate with consumers and their families in diverse populations.
- Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to maintain confidentiality, and to work independently under general supervision.
- Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal and Listening skills.
- Ability to Establish and prioritize goals and objectives of assigned program.
- Ability to assist consumers with successfully acquiring all income, entitlement benefits and health insurance for which the individual is eligible.
- Ability to facilitate relationships between Gateway, consumer families / legal guardians and various social service community resources, such as housing assistance, healthcare, job training and placement and substance abuse support groups.
Required Education & Experience :
Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience in advocacy or advisory or governance and one (1) continuous year as a current or former recipient of treatment (including mental health / substance abuse treatment or diagnosis) and eligibility for certification as Peer Specialist by the Georgia Department of Human Resources.
Unlicensed Paraprofessional. Lived experience with SUD / MH diagnosis.
Gateway CSB promotes a drug / alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing.
Day shift
12 hour shifts with one weekend