Peer Specialist

SCHARP; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

SCHARP in Los Angeles is seeking a Peer Mentor/Case Manager to support individuals with severe impairments in community integration under a Program Director's supervision. The role emphasizes crisis response, teamwork with agencies and families, and adherence to HIPAA, with responsibilities including escorting consumers to resources and ensuring linkage to services while maintaining confidentiality.

A valid California driver's license and access to a vehicle are required.

Qualifications

• Experience with and managing a psychiatric disorder and knowledge of recovery programs.
• Lived experience with mental health, homelessness, and/or justice involvement is valued.
• Ability to pass state background checks and adhere to HIPAA policies.

Responsibilities

• Takes direction from experienced staff on peer counselor interventions identified in recovery plans.
• Provides case management, escorting consumers to indicated resources and ensuring linkage.
• Escorts consumers on field trips and promotes sober, constructive leisure activities.
• Visits consumers in detox units, recovery homes, and sober living homes.
• Shares personal recovery experiences to communicate hope and attract participants.
• Participates in trainings and presents to drug treatment programs as needed.
• Maintains HIPAA compliance and reports any improper disclosure to management.
• Engages with county, state, and federal funders and third-party payers as required.

Skills

Peer mentoring

Case management

Crisis response

Team collaboration

Literacy skills

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Responsible for:

Under the supervision of the Program Director performs peer mentoring and Case Management functions.

• Ability to relate to individuals who have severe impairments in their ability to function in the community.
• Ability to respond quickly, effectively and with equanimity to member crises and life situations.
• Ability to work as a team member and to work with other agencies, community resources and member’s families.
• Ability to demonstrate adequate literacy skills to perform work duties will be considered.
• Must have valid California Driver's license and the availability of a car with adequate insurance.

Position Requirements:

• Must have experience with and managing a psychiatric disorder, and have knowledge about 12-step programs and all aspects of recovery from substance abuse.
• Must have lived experience with either mental health, justice involvement and or homelessness.
• Must be able to pass California State Department of Justice criminal background investigation, Live Scan and/or fingerprinting.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must have valid California Driver's license and the availability of a car with adequate insurance.

Primary Duties:

• Takes direction from experienced staff members in methodology for carrying out peer counselor interventions identified on the recovery/service plans.
• Provides case management services, especially in terms of escorting consumers to indicated resources and ensuring that the linkage is made.
• Escorts consumers on field trips of a recreational nature, emphasizing that recovering alcoholics and drug addicts can have fun in sobriety and can enjoy the constructive use of drug-free leisure time.
• Visits consumers while they are in detox units, recovery homes, and sober living homes.
• Share his/her experience with mental illness and substance abuse in a manner which communicates hope ---- this individual will be a “program of attraction” as he/she relates their own experience--- what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now.
• Is involved in presentations to drug treatment programs, which are reluctant to accept consumers who are psychiatrically impaired.
• Participates in selective in-service training, sharing his/her experience in living with a mental illness, and/or homelessness and achieving and/or maintaining sobriety.
• Attends DMH trainings related and meetings other meetings as assigned.
• Comply with all protected health information about any member o other party in accordance with South Central Health & Rehabilitation Program policies related to state or federal laws such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Use appropriate safeguards to protect the confidentiality of such information.
• Report to South Central Health & Rehabilitation Program management any use or disclosure of protected health information not permitted by South Central Health & Rehabilitation Program policies related to state or federal laws such as HIPAA.
• Participate in South Central Health & Rehabilitation Program training or briefings on HIPAA information as scheduled.
• Consult with supervisor on any issue or questions about compliance under South Central Health & Rehabilitation Program policies related to state or federal laws such as HIPAA.
• Maintain a close working relationship with county, state, and federal financial funders, as well as major third-party payers.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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