Recovery Peer Support Specialist

The Recovery and/or Peer Support Specialist is responsible for aiding clients in a variety of ways that enhance their recovery and promote overall wellness for a successful recovery.  The Recovery and/or Peer Support Specialist provides peer support through lived experiences and assists in navigating the behavioral health system in the process of the client’s recovery.  In addition, the Recovery and/or Peer Support Specialist may assist in activities of daily living and ensuring a safe and clean environment. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consistently provides supervision for assigned clients
• Clearly documents observations of client behavior
• Ensures safety of clients
• Facilitates, or assists in facilitating groups under direction of supervisor
• Escorts clients to events away from the facility such as recreational and other activities 
• Consistently records and/or reports to their supervisor on any treatments, results, observations, client complaints, and other pertinent information regarding the condition of the clients
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate the status of the clients condition accurately, timely and legibly   
• Recognizes changes in clients affect, behavior, mood and level of suicidality or self-harm 
• Notifies supervisor of clients with potential risk of injury due to falls, self-destructive, or assaultive behavior 
• Utilizes most facilitative measures to de-escalate clients, such as 1:1 conversation (“1:1”), diversional activities, groups, peer support, or decreased stimuli                                                                       
• Is available for 1:1 interaction with clients  
• Assists in providing intervention and/or management of inappropriate behavior
• Prioritizes interventions, as trained, in rapidly changing client situations
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of universal precautions, infection control and isolation techniques 
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of client rights, advanced directives and ethical issues for all specific groups, and maintain confidentiality
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide a safe environment of care and recognize safety risks/considerations
• Performs other duties as assigned/necessary

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) preferred, unless required by state or client contract
• Minimum of 1 year experience in a related field
• Experience in verbal de-escalation, crisis and suicide prevention, and trauma informed care in a related field preferred
• Specialized peer support certification preferred (WHAM, ASIST, etc)
• Participation and completion of Amergis’ Competency program when applicable
• TB questionnaire, PPD or chest x-ray if applicable 
• Current Health certificate (per contract or state regulation) 
• Must meet all federal, state and local requirements 
• Successful completion of new hire training as applicable to job site 
• Understand patient confidentiality and HIPAA requirements  
• Ability to effectively elicit/provide information to and from appropriate individuals (including, but not limited to, supervisors, co-workers, clients) via strong communication skills; proficiency in the English language is required  
• Computer proficiency required 
• Must be at least 18 years of age