Peer Support Specialist - Outpatient Services

Volunteers of America of Alaska; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers of America of Alaska seeks a Peer Support Specialist for Outpatient Services to assist youth and Transition Age Youth (ages 5-24) in recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. Leverage lived recovery experience to mentor, educate, and model recovery in community and clinical settings.

The role includes collaborating with the Program Manager, conducting outreach, maintaining a caseload, providing case management and documentation, and driving as needed to support

Qualifications

• Lived experience with addiction or mental health and active recovery (minimum 2 years).
• Ability to navigate treatment/mental health systems and support families.
• Willing to pursue QAP/credential within 3 years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Support clients and caregivers with connections to housing, education, employment, and resources to promote recovery.
• Coach youth on identifying needs and accessing resources; advocate in treatment and community settings.
• Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients while upholding boundaries and safety.

Skills

Lived recovery experience

Client advocacy

Excellent communication

Education

Qualified Addiction Professional or Peer Support Specialist credential within 3 years

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Position Title: Peer Support Specialist – Outpatient Services

Reports To:Program Manager – Outpatient Services

Classification:Non-Exempt; Hourly; Full-Time

Overview:

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) position is responsible for working with youth and transition aged youth (ages 5-24) using their own personal experience of recovery from substance use disorder(s) or mental health to support others in recovery. A PSS will mentor, educate, and spread the message of recovery to individuals who are new in their recovery journey(s). A PSS will provide emotional and social support to VOA clients, and model healthy supportive relationships that encourage sobriety and living a life in recovery. A PSS will be a support for youth and families to assist them with the navigation of any organizations they might be assisted with but also other resources that might be relatable or beneficial. Peer Supports will be part of the Transitional Aged Youth OP Services, that is community-based response for young adults and families who need immediate and ongoing assistance or interventions.

VOA Alaska is a youth-serving organization providing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports to youth and families struggling with mental illness and addiction. We are honored to walk with families during these times and provide support and hope through recovery. Our core values are connection, responsibility, courage, innovation, hope, and joy. We are looking for individuals who espouse these core values and align with this mission of services to the community.

Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities

Support individuals as well as caregivers with connections to community resources such as employment, housing, education, and outside community activities that promote recovery. Peer Supports will coach a youth around how to independently identify needs and access resources. In addition, peer specialists advocate for their youth in treatment setting and within the community.

Participate in Transition to Independence (TIP) trainings and become competent in model that will be utilized as the foundational structure of services. These tools are used to help with motivation, goal setting, while having hard conversations with participants that includes problem solving.

Develop and maintain relationships with clients, caregivers or other members of their identified team while maintaining healthy and professional boundaries, interacting with the clients in a manner conducive to their safety, dignity, privacy, and security.

Provide outreach support services to community members and families that are struggling with a loved one’s addiction or mental health concerns. PSS will make home visits to support families in talking with their youth about the benefits of living a lifestyle of recovery and additional service information if wanted.

Maintain a caseload and service activity level determined in collaboration with the supervisor. Manage scheduling, follow-up, referrals, service coordination, and ongoing contact with clients and families.

PSS will facilitate therapeutic behavioral health and case management services that assist and enhance one's recovery and integration into the community. PSS will also assist with the Rapid Response services or responsibilities as they are assigned. These calls will come in during regular business hours and might have a specific time that is assigned to each PSS.Complete timely documentation for each recovery service provided (72 hours from the time of service). All documentation is to comply with overseeing of state or federal guidelines. Documentation includes: basic progress notes, client status review, development and reviews of non-clinical treatment plans. Any other additional reports and request may be made from leadership team.

Peer Support Specialist will be required to drive personal vehicle for client support and will be reimbursed accordingly, based on documentation that has been completed at time of submission.

Understanding of trauma informed care and cultural considerations such asrace, ethnicity, language, and other cultural considerations that could impact peer support work. Willing to work with others that have different views, opinions, and identities.

Maintains client confidentiality and safeguards client information per 42 C.F.R. Part 2 and HIPAA privacy and security regulations.

PSS will use their stories when situation arises where that would be beneficial in providing the youth with examples of what others have been through. PSS will share their experience, strength, and hope with the next generation of our recovery community.

Helps parents and youth navigate through treatment, mental health and justice systems, Act as a bridge between parents and counseling staff, while connection with families of minor children weekly or as needed.

Maintain a consistent schedule for client sessions, meetings, with other activities or events that are assigned or required. PSS requires 20 hours a week of direct client contact or known as productivity hours with the remainder for non-direct time including documentation, meetings, trainings for 25 hours a week.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Lived experience in addiction and recovery, and/or experience overcoming mental health and symptoms with a minimum of two years (24 months) of sobriety/recovery of either and must be active in their own recovery by participating in practices that support self-care, health, and over-all well-being.

Has qualifications to be a Qualified Addiction Professional or Peer Support Specialist as defined by the State of Alaska. If not current, can be achieved within 3 years of hire.

Qualified Addiction Professional (QAP): Chemical Dependency Certification level II (CDC II) and/or National Certificated Addiction Counselor I (NCAC I)

Peer Support Specialist (PSS): The ability to self-identify as someone who has lived experience of recovery from mental illness and/or addiction. If VOA Alumni, discharged from active client status for 1 year

Personal experience similar to the parents served preferred, including addition and/or mental illness

Familiarity with substance abuse and mental health services

Knowledge of Community Resources

Excellent writing and communication skills

Ability to work flexible hours (including days, evenings and weekend hours)

Ability to travel if required (must have own transportation),A current and valid driver’s license

Ability to participate in recreational activities; such as hikes, and/or indoor/outdoor events with clients.

Can qualify for VOA’s automobile insurance and/or proof of vehicle insurance coverage

Ability to provide current credentials and if not current, willing to work towards certification requirements and obtain QAP within 3 years of hire.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Works in office areas. Interacts with staff, consultants, and outside vendors. May be subjected to interruptions throughout the workday.

Works out in the community. Comfort in driving is unpredictable weather conditions, going to locations that are community partners, general public locations with youth and families.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. The vision requirement includes close vision; consistent sighting of clients.

Acknowledgement

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you may be required to perform. The omission of specific descriptions