Peer Support Specialist

WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

CLASSIFICATION CODE: EXEMPT FULL TIME

DEPARTMENT: CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND FAMILY SERVICES

REPORTS TO: CHILD, ADOLECENT AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER

STATEMENT OF JOB:This Position draws upon personal growth experience to model recovery to individuals to individuals enrolled or eligible to be enrolled with White Mountain Apache Behavioral Health Services Tribal Regional Behavioral Health Authority. By offering outreach, encouragement and support, the Peer Support Specialist cultivates and secures a connection with the enrolled individual, while teaching personal responsibility and serving as a mentor and role model. As part of their job duties, the Peer Support Specialist may be asked to provide direct services to individuals such as outreach and engagement, linkage to community supports, transportation, and group facilitation acting in collaboration with assigned clinical team. Driving is an essential function of this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with clients/potential clients who would benefit from behavioral health services.
2. Provides support services assistance to ABHS clinical staff as indicated on treatment plan, including, but not limited to, transportation, community visits, appointment setting/coordination, outreach services for clients having difficulty accessing services, and/or for reengagement in treatment services.
3. Adheres to ABHS vehicle policies and maintains appropriate vehicle utilization records.
4. Documents contact with clientsto assess needs, maintain required paperwork, and engage family membersin accordance with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)and ABHS Standards.
5. Provides prevention education services including presentations, workshops, and other forms public education on a variety of mental health topics, including, but not limited to, substance abuse treatment education and life skills instruction.
6. Assists clients with all needs, including activities of daily living (ADLs), obtaining appropriate benefits, link to needed appointments, explain legal status and rights, and foster independence.
7. Abide by all applicable policies, procedures, and program standards of ABHS, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Indian Health Services, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and other pertinent regulatory authorities.
8. Ability to address a variety of diversespiritual, emotional, and social needs in multiple environments of an often-high-risk population, using a trauma-informed care approach while maintaining a highdegree of professionalism and cultural awareness.
9. Collaborates with court/probation, tribal/community agencies, families, and other natural support systems to ensure client’s needs are met. Develops a strong working relationship with community partners.
10. Provides services at the clinic, in the community, adult shelters, residential facilities, hospital settings and in client’s homes to ensure client obtains all benefits and services necessary.
11. Participates in interdepartmental clinical team meetings to assist and encourage consistent and timely provision of services. Participates in weekly clinical staffing with other members of the clinical team to review client progress and service requirements.
12. Ability to provide client walk-in services in the office as related to the clinical service needs of clients.
13. Maintain ethical policies and guidelines as outlined in accepted State ethics laws, rules, policies, and principles and as outlined in discipline-specific code of ethics.
14. Provide a positive role model to clients and staff through leadership, self-discipline, and genuine care for the treatment and recovery of clients. All clients and staff members must be treated with dignity and respect.
15. Participation in all required ABHS training.
16. Reports/attends work in timely manner. Must be reliable and communicate directly with supervisor in all matters of attendance.
17. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possession of a high school diplomaor equivalent; personal experiences in mental health/human services or related field preferred;experience working with Native Americans preferred.
2. State Peer Certification.
3. Effective written and oral communication skills; ability to speak the Apache language preferred. 
4. Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving and organizational and time management skills with ability to work independently, with flexibility within prescribed deadlines.
5. Interpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, teams, managers, supervisors.
6. MS Office familiarity and ability to correctly operate copy machine and fax.
7. Valid Arizona Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
8. Ability to pass all pre-employment testing, including, but not limited to, fingerprint clearance, drug testing and background check.

NOTE: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Constant: standing. Frequent: repetitive use of hand, walking, standing, bending neck and waist, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting neck and waist, simple grasping of left and right hand, power grasping right and left hand, fine manipulation right and left hand, pushing and pulling right and left hand, reaching above shoulder level, reaching below shoulder level, lifting objects weighing up to 25 pounds from below the waist to a height of 3 feet.