Specialist - Youth Peer

Priority Dispatch Corp.; Dothan (AL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

SpectraCare is seeking a Youth Peer Specialist in Dothan, AL to support youths aged 16–21 by sharing lived experience and building hopeful, recovery-focused relationships.

The role requires flexible hours, potential travel, and collaboration with Case Managers and Family Peer Providers to guide treatment and empowerment. Must have lived experience in mental health or child welfare and a commitment to ethical, recovery-oriented practice.

Qualifications

• Has lived experience in mental health or child welfare services.
• Able to communicate empathetically and empower youth.
• Able to document interactions accurately and timely.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention principles and safety.
• Willingness to work with diverse populations and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to youths 16–21 by sharing lived experience.
• Offer guidance as they receive services and support from SpectraCare.
• Build trusting relationships and promote recovery and self-advocacy.
• Coordinate outreach and youth engagement in the community.
• Lead peer support groups and individual sessions as directed.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation per policy.

Skills

Lived experience

Empathy

Communication skills

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Cultural sensitivity

Documentation skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Youth Peer SpecialistThis position is located in Dothan, Alabama.Shift Schedule is: Monday/Wednesday 10:30am - 6:30pm; Tuesday/Thursday 11am - 7:00pm; Friday 9am - 5pm.Hours must be flexible to meet the needs of families.This position could occasionally include Saturday work.POSITION SUMMARY/FUNCTIONThis position will be responsible for working with young adults enrolled in our organization's clinical services. The Youth Peer Provider will work closely with the Case Manager and Family Peer Provider to implement the treatment process with the young adult and their family. They must have personal experience ("lived experience") in mental health services or child welfare and be able to appropriately disclose and share that experience with young adults receiving treatment through our organization. The Youth Peer Provider supports young adults, ages 16 - 21, by sharing their own lived experience of mental health and/or child welfare with young adults to foster hope, build resiliency, and develop self-advocacy skills that will empower them to reach their goals. Travel may be required.ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:1. Utilizing lived experience, the youth peer support specialist will:Provide peer support to young adults ages 16 – 21 years of age by sharing their own experiences and building trusting relationships.Offer support and guidance to young adults as they receive services and support from our organization.Foster hope and approach young adults' skills from a strengths-based perspective.Coordinate outreach and youth engagement efforts in the community at the direction of program director.Practice culturally responsive communication and interaction with young adults and their families and/or natural supports.Act as a resource and safe person for young adults to approach with questions, concerns, and accomplishments.Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience.Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.Assist clients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self- advocacy. Utilize regular meetings, individual, and/or group sessions.Articulate with patients what has been helpful and what not been helpful in his/her own recovery process.Identify beliefs and values a consumer holds that works against his/her recovery.Discern when and how much of their lived experience to share with patients.Plan and conducts peer support groups focusing on topics related to recovery.2. Using a formal goal setting process, the youth peer support specialist will:Assist patients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to one and group sessions. Support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.Assist young adults in working with treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals.3. Maintain proper documentation in a timely manner as required by SpectraCare Policies and Procedures, Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.Complete daily notes and regular documentation as required by SpectraCare guidelines.4. Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals and other relevant material.Continue to develop and share recovery-oriented material with others.Attend relevant seminars, meetings, and in-service trainings as approved.Attend continuing education sessions when offered by the Alabama Department of Mental Health.5. Provide linkage to broad range of community-based service and natural support.Connect young adults to community supports, natural supports, and/or additional programs.6. Assist with crisis intervention as needed.7. Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.Treats recipients with respect and courtesy at all times.Serve as a liaison and advocate for SpectraCare recipients with community agencies and the public.Actively participates in committees as required.Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.Works in a cooperative manner with other SpectraCare employees, individuals and/or family members.Receive and respond to inquiries promptly and courteously.Meet with supervisor as established.Must perform all duties with the highest standard of ethics.Attends regular workshops, trainings, in-services, and/or administrative meetings as appropriate.Maintain travel records accurately and submitted within the appropriate timeframe.Ensure necessary documentation is completed in a timely manner with minimal errors and in compliance with applicable guidelines and policies.Adhere to Dress Code as set forth in the SpectraCare policies and procedures.Follow guidelines of SpectraCare Personnel Policies, SpectraCare Clinical Policies, Alabama Department of Mental Health Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.Performs duties independently and/or with minimal supervision.Functions within professional boundaries with recipients and others.Works well with other staff and recipients to ensure safety of program, recipients, and other staff.Functions and performs well in stressful environments and manages work related stress to ensure individual safety.Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit / program at SpectraCare based on facility needs as directed.Conforms to SpectraCare's Core Values as duties are carried out daily.Other services, tasks, functions, and responsibilities deemed necessary; not otherwise specified.8. Regular attendance with timely arrival and departure according to scheduled hours.Must be able to work full time with rotating assignments as necessary to include but not limited to overtime hours, nights, holidays and/or weekends as scheduled.To ensure client/employee safety while on duty, must remain awake during scheduled working hours.NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:Attend departmental meetings and other assigned meetings.Attend all required job-related/system training.Assist in other areas as needed.Conforms to System's policies and procedures.ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:Knowledge mental illness, mental health system, and recovery from mental illness.Ability to use one's experiences with mental illness/addiction in a manner that is thoughtfully delivered to ensure youth/young adults are not negatively influenced but empowered and motivated toward a healthy lifestyle.Basic knowledge of empowerment and the goals and objectives of the consumer movement.Should be available to work afternoon/early evening hours or weekend hours based on needs of the youth/young adults.Ability to work with individuals and groups, specifically youth/young adults.Basic knowledge of consumer rights and advocacy.Ability to connect with individuals in treatment for mental illness and/or substance use.Must be teachable, honest, dependable, energetic and passionate.Should be flexible, adaptable, integrative, and creative.Ability to understand the unique experience of mental illness and/or substance use.Ability to serve as a role model and be in active recovery for their own mental illness, showing by example that recovery is possible.Ability to relay coping skills, positive attitude skills and self – esteem.Ability to facilitate peer support / self – help groups.Must be able to drive to families' homes, community events, and meetings at service provider offices or schools as needed.May provide transportation to parents and family members as necessary to complete support goals as allowed.Skills to engage and work with others from diverse ethnic and cultural groups.Ability to assist in establishing and maintaining positive and effective working relationships/support systems and interface with internal staff, agencies, organizations, and groups.Ability to respond professionally in a crisis situation.Ability to communicate with seriously mental ill consumers and staff, both written and oral.Knowledge of mental illness and /or child welfare and their social implications.Knowledge of cultural diversityKnowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic individuals, to non-violent crisis intervention practice.Knowledge of available community resources.Basic knowledge of individual's rights.Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders.Ability to provide services in all facilities and other locations as deemed necessary.Must be motivated and able to make quick and accurate decisions. Must be able to meet and exceed expectations. Must be able to organize and perform all duties with minimum mistakes and without constant supervision.Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of supervisors, managers, and/or the general public in an effective and understanding manner, to promote quality of care.Ability to maintain unit files to include but not limited to recipient charts, etc. in accordance with the requirements of SpectraCare policies and procedures, Alabama Administrative Code, CMS and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.Ability to attend to detailed assignments and follow through with task until completion.Ability to perform all duties in a safe manner, without endangering any employee or asset.Working knowledge of business English, spelling and math.Working knowledge of office practices and procedures.Skill in keying rapidly and accurately.Ability to provide excellent verbal and written communication skills.Ability to communicate with recipients, families, and/or other agencies regarding case management services.Ability to adhere to health and safety regulations.Ability to adhere to duties assigned by Supervisor and/or other designees.Ability to operate office machines such as computers, copier, fax machines and/or other equipment or programs.Ability to make minor decisions in accordance with rules and regulations and apply these to work problems.Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions.Ability to adhere to SpectraCare policy, HIPAA laws, and 42 CFR regarding confidentiality.Ability to stay awake during working shift.Ability to demonstrate initiative.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, all levels of organizational staff and the public.Able to work in a fast-paced environment.Ability to work independently and/or in a team environment as required.Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.Ability to follow orders and directives and work with supervisor and other staff.Ability to have patience and emotional stability.Ability to maintain unit files through Electronic Medical Record.Ability to function and perform well in stressful environments and mange work related stress to ensure safety of others.Ability to travel within catchment areas via personal transportation and/or system transportation as required.Ability to adapt to conditions which may vary considerably and/or to respond professionally and efficiently in crisis situations.Ability to pass a drug screen when given to include but not limited to pre-employment, random, post-accident, suspicion, etc.ESSENTIAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:Successfully complete Alabama Certified Youth Peer Specialist Training and Exam held by ADMH.Complete initial new hire training.Complete required on the job training (OJT) training by the department.Obtain and maintain proper certifications and/or CEs needed to perform job duties.Complete annual training as required by SpectraCare Policy and Procedure, the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.Complete First Aid/CPR upon hire and working alone with clients; and continuously thereafter maintaining current certification.WORK ENVIRONNENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Physical ability to work assigned shift. Requires weekend/evening work to meet the organizations' needs.Work location is primarily in a temperature-controlled office/treatment modality with associated repetitive motions. Must understand and practice good ergonomic movements to avoid injuries.Must be able to travel occasionally with exposure to changing weather conditions.Job requires occasional use of office equipment and ability to correctly lift up to twenty (20) pounds on an infrequent basis.Physical ability to perform CPR.Job requires occasional and limited bending, twisting, kneeling, and reaching.Required to talk to or hear staff, clients, and/or others.Employee may be exposed to one or more of the following: disagreeable odors, chemicals such as disinfectants, cleansers, soaps, etc; latex, plastic and other materials used for personal protective equipment; noise and distractions; unpleasant sights; unpredictable behaviors; body fluids; contagious diseases; and/or wet floors.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:High School Diploma or GED.Must have lived experience in mental health or child welfare services and/or systems.Must successfully complete Certified Youth Peer Specialist training and exam upon hire.Must have reliable transportation with valid driver's license.Good MVR acceptable to automobile insurance carrier for inclusion on agency policy.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:Bachelor's degree in a mental illness or related field.Previously completed Certified Youth Peer Specialist training and exam with ADMH.This job description does not represent an employment contract. The job is "at will". Nothing in this job description restricts the supervisor or company's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.