Peer Support Specialist (51613)

WestCare Inc; Florida; On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

WestCare Inc. is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to assist individuals with substance use and/or mental health diagnoses.

You will provide recovery support, education, advocacy, and intervention, while empowering clients to build a personal support network and live competitively in the community. You will lead skill-building groups, coach and mentor clients, and collaborate with case managers to connect individuals to needed services.

Qualifications

• Must be a current or former substance abuse or mental health care recipient with at least 2 years of recovery
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain WestCare vehicle insurance
• Experience with individuals diagnosed with mental health or substance abuse population preferred
• Able to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
• CPR Certification and First Aid Certification and annual TB test
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and internal electronic health record software

Responsibilities

• Provide recovery support to consumers
• Conduct skill-building groups and activities as assigned by supervisor
• Act as a role model for consumers
• Provide coaching and mentoring services to consumers
• Serve as a family/individual representative and advocate in program activities
• Assist in facilitation of individual/family support and educational groups
• Provide peer support using personal and professional experiences
• Work with case manager to link individuals to needed services
• Respond to cultural and linguistic needs of individuals and partners
• Assist in building natural supports and self-advocacy skills
• Help identify strengths and promote self-esteem
• Promote program availability and peer support services
• Assist in developing Wellness Recovery Action Plans
• Document sessions and contacts reflecting supportive role
• Provide peer support to additional populations as needed

Skills

Recovery support

Coaching & mentoring

MS Office

Electronic health record software

Driver's license

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

TB test

Good Moral Character Affidavit

Communications"

Education

Bachelor-level degree in Addiction Counseling/Criminal Justice/Social Work/Psychology or related field

High School Diploma or equivalent with 2 years of college

Tools

Internal electronic health record system

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist assists individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health diagnoses. Assists in developing skills and competencies needed to successfully build a personal support network and to live and work competitively in the community. The role of the Peer Support Specialist is to provide recovery support, consumer education, consumer intervention, and consumer advocacy. The Peer Support Specialist also provides the consumer perspective to recovery and empowers the consumer.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide recovery support to consumers
• Conduct skill‑building groups and other activities as assigned by the supervisor
• Act as an appropriate role model for consumers
• Provide coaching and mentoring services to consumers as assigned by the supervisor
• Serve as a family/individual representative and advocate in program/agency activities
• Assist in the facilitation of individual/family support and educational groups
• Provide peer support to individuals by using personal and professional life experiences
• Work in partnership with the case manager provider to link individuals to needed services
• Respond to the cultural and linguistic needs and preferences of individuals, stakeholders and system partners
• Assist individuals to identify and build natural supports as well as self‑advocacy and self‑efficacy skills
• Help individuals identify strengths and recognize successes to promote self‑esteem and empowerment
• Actively promote and educate individuals on program availability and peer support services at any point in treatment
• Assist individuals to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan when needed
• Document one‑to‑one sessions, telephone calls and/or visits with families/individuals to reflect their supportive role
• Provide peer support services to additional populations, as needed

Certifications / Licenses

• Certification as a certified peer specialist in good standing and recognized by the FloridaCertificationBoard is preferred at time of hire. Peer certification can be completed via ongoing coaching and training onsite within one year of hiring date. If the Peer Support Specialist is certified, he/she must comply with annual CEU requirements. Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently certified.

Education

• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred;
• High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of college‑level education is required.

Experience and Competencies

• Must be a current or former substance abuse or mental health care service recipient who is engaged in own recovery for a minimum of two years, demonstrated by an effort of self‑directed recovery. May not be a current recipient of residential care.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCares vehicle insurance is required.
• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental health or substance abuse population is preferred.
• Must have availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite.
• Ability to utilize internal electronic health record software.
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character.
• Clearance in pre‑employment drug testing and criminal records checks, as required.

Other Requirements

During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to, vaccinations that are issued by local, state, federal and/or funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur, Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WestCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment at WestCare is contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment drug test, pre‑employment physical and criminal background check.