Peer Support Specialist (HVRP)

Position Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist assists program participants in developing skills and competencies needed to successfully live and work within a community. This role provides recovery support, education, and advocacy to participants.

Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Conducts skills building groups and other activities to empower program participants, under the guidance of the Program Director or designee;

• Provides coaching and mentoring services that help program participants to integrate into their community and become successful, productive residents;

• Acts as an advocate on behalf of their assigned program participant(s);

• Attends and participates in training activities and meetings as required;

• Supervises program participants under the direction of the Program Director or designee, reporting unusual changes as they occur;

• Facilitates mentoring, discipline, safety, and observation of participants;

• Utilizes approved crisis intervention techniques to assist with de-escalation of situations, ensuring program participant, staff, and visitor safety;

• Participates in 24/7 coverage by working a flexible schedule, properly tracking hours worked, and consistently arriving to scheduled shifts on time;

• Transports participants to school or medical appointments as required (if authorized);

• Monitors participant whereabouts to be sure they remain on WestCare property, or have appropriate paperwork needed to leave WestCare property;

• Assists in the implementation of recreational activities for program participants, participating where appropriate;

• Ensures the facility is kept clean and in working order;

• Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation;

• Performs any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications: Certifications/Licensures:

• Relevant certification and/or licensure is preferred; preference will be given to certified candidates;

• Valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required. Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or other field related to the position is preferred;

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Experience and Competencies:

• Two (2) years’ experience in workforce development, counseling, social work, or comparable field is required;

• Two (2) or more years working in a behavioral health environment is preferred; • Ability to effectively coach and provide guidance is required;

• Experience working with individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders preferred;

• Ability to form and maintain effective, professional, and positive relationships with staff, volunteers, and program participants required;

• Ability to work well, both individually and as part of a team required;

• Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion required;

• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor required;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required; Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or indoor setting;

• Occasional outdoor work and travel between multiple locations may be required;

• Regular and prompt attendance is required throughout employment;

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.

Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).

• Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.

• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.

• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.

• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.

• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.

• Required the ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.