Location: Burlington, Iowa
EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
- Must be available for days, evenings, weekends & holidays work schedule.
- Personal history experience with mental illness and willing to share and be supportive to others is required.
- Graduate of the Georgia model of Peer Support Specialist training, as developed by Appalachian Consulting Group and the Iowa Peer Support Training Academy, and has passed the competency test – desired.
JOB SUMMARY
Peer Support Specialists serve as advocates for consumers/families and assist with the design and implementation of programs that support consumers/families with mental health issues.
Peer Support Specialists educate mental health providers and co-workers about mental health and recovery, and provide unique insights based on personal experiences. Peer Support Specialists serve as support staff, and assist in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery. Peer support services are recognized as an evidence-based practice.
Peer Support Specialists are required to abide by federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and to meet all confidentiality guidelines.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists consumers and family members in understanding and accessing services. Provides peer support and education to consumers and family members.
- Attends conferences and team meetings as needed
- Develops and/or leads support groups.
- Maintains documentation of contacts and activities.
- Assists consumers in articulating personal recovery goals and in determining their individual objectives.
- Assists consumers in creating their own Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP).
- Assists consumers in building social skills.
- May assist with employment goals and/or supported employment.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Knowledge of applicable codes, regulations, standards and policies/procedures of governing service delivery.
- Experience in dealing with mental health issues as described in the Job Summary.
- Able to communicate effectively, both written and verbal.
- Good listening skills.
- Good presentation and facilitation skills.
- Computer skills, if applicable.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Positive attitude that communicates hope and possibility of recovery.
- Ability to utilize unique recovery experience, and teach/role model the value of each individual’s recovery experience.
- Ability to model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
- Knowledge of Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP).
- Completion of WRAP training in accordance with the requirements set by Iowa’s managed behavioral care provider.
OTHER DUTIES
- Attend scheduled clinical supervision.
- Complete required number of customer contacts per month.
- Complete and turn in timesheets in a timely manner
- Market services/programs.
- Contribute and participate in the team service delivery process.
- Contribute to documentation for the re-certification of clients
- Assist in keeping office environment clean.
- Other duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS
- Ability to lift and carry:
- up to 25 lbs. occasionally.
- up to 40 lbs. rarely.
- Ability to climb stairs while carrying objects.
- Normal vision with correction.
- Normal range of hearing with corrections.
- Frequently perform daily duties which involve standing, bending, pivoting, squatting, kneeling, and crouching.
JOB FUNCTIONS
Efforts have been made to make this job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties the Peer Support Specialist will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, or related to the needs of people we serve, or as assigned by supervisory level staff.
To complete an online application, click here.