Residential Peer Support Specialist
Introduction: Are you a Certified Peer Support Specialist looking for a rewarding and challenging opportunity to make a positive impact in our organization and your community? As a residential peer support specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals on their journey towards wellness and recovery. This role offers a unique blend of rewarding experiences and challenges, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others while growing both personally and professionally. If you are passionate about helping others and thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing environment, we would love to have your on our team of Wellies.
Job description
Residential Peer Support Specialist (Men’s Program)
Supervised by: Residential Counselor
Qualifications:
- Preferred to be 21 years of age and have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
- Must be licensed by the state of Nebraska as a Certified Peer Support Specialist.
- If diagnosed with a substance use disorder, individual must have a minimum of 18 months recovery/abstinence. Must have the ability to pass an initial and ongoing random drug screenings.
- Knowledge of behavioral health disorders and a willingness to increase knowledge base on these subjects.
- Good written communication skills; must be able to demonstrate standard grammatical abilities.
- Strong verbal communication skills; must be able to use appropriate assertive communication with both clients and coworkers.
- Resourceful, confident and able to problem solve in a variety of situations.
- Able to practice strict confidentiality guidelines following 42-CFR and HIPAA regulations.
- Must be able to work as a team or independently and must be able to discern which skill is needed in a given situation.
- Current valid driver’s license and must be insurable through the agency’s insurance policy.
- Good stress management skills.
- Ability to follow directives and complete duties as assigned.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
- Possess a non-judgmental, caring attitude toward persons served.
- Possess a growth-oriented mindset with the ability to seek out feedback, respond well to constructive criticism and learn from mistakes.
- Must be self-motivated and have the ability to seek out additional tasks when necessary.
- Ability to adapt to change and possess an overall optimistic attitude.
- Possess a trauma informed and culturally competent attitude.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Complete all required training and certifications, exhibiting competency, within established timeframes. Remain current on all required certifications.
- Medication Aide
- Red Cross First Aid/AED/CPR
- Client and Employee Rights
- Confidentiality (42 CFR and HIPPA)
- NAADAC Code of Ethics
- Cultural Competency
- De-escalation Techniques
- Trauma Informed Care
- Crisis Management
- Health and Safety Practices
- Customer Service
- Promoting Wellness of Consumers
- Person-Centered Practices
- Positive Interventions
- Gender Competency
- Employee/Resident Handbooks
- Agency Policies and Procedures, including where to locate them
- Coordinate with the Case Manager to conduct referral activities. Complete referral applications by phone or in person, as needed.
- Work with the Case Manager to identify people in need of interim services to ensure these services are provided.
- Begin forming relationships with referrals prior to admittance to residential treatment.
- Ensure that the overall environment remains positive, trauma informed and therapeutic.
- Whenever possible, the peer support specialist will be present and involved with the residents throughout their daily activities, including meal preparation, chore completion, activities of leisure and groups, as assigned.
- Role model all activities and tasks that are expected of residents.
- Assist residents with problem solving, appropriate interactions, as well as utilizing positive coping and recovery skills.
- Employ established skills, including assertive communication, de-escalation techniques, crisis management, customer service, promotion of wellness and positive interventions.
- Participate in treatment activities of the residents.
- Facilitate orientation of new residents.
- Ensure that new residents are brought into a warm and welcoming environment.
- Conduct a tour of the facility and assist the new resident in getting urgent needs met.
- Encourage and promote skill building by working alongside with the residents to assist them in determining barriers, utilizing strengths, finding accommodations, teaching and modeling skills and engaging in advocacy activities.
- Transport residents to appointments, meetings, court, etc.
- Participate as an active member of the treatment team by providing feedback, offering suggestions, advocating for residents and finding solutions.
- Work with the Health and Wellness Coordinator to enhance the wellness of all consumers through active peer support activities.
- Work with agency counselors to enhance the mental health and recovery program of all residents through active peer support activities.
- Visit current residents that have been removed from residential treatment temporarily due to hospitalization or incarceration.
- Facilitate residential groups as assigned.
- Assist residents with discharge, assisting with transportation of residents, as needed.
- Complete clerical and office responsibilities. Answer phones, take and relay messages.
- Complete all required documentation accurately, thoroughly and in a timely manner.
- Behavioral Observations
- Critical Incident Reports
- Releases of Information
- Group Notes
- Weekly progress Notes
- Provide individual peer support services with residents in the program.
- Schedule meetings in advance with residents at regular intervals, based on their individualized needs and preferences.
- Assist residents in establishing peer support goals and objectives in line with their strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
- Complete weekly Peer Support Contact Notes to document progress, barriers, and activities that facilitate sustained recovery.
- Men’s peer support provider will work day shift hours in staffing ratio and every other weekend.
- Other duties as assigned.
Probationary Period: 6 months
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $18-25 per hour
*All salaries are calculated with our wage matrix using: years of experience, education, and other credentials. We utilize a wage matrix to provide a systematic and fair approach to salary determination, promoting transparency and reduces salary disparities for current and future team members.