Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist (PSS)

What began as a small clinic established by young community leaders on the West Side of Chicago in 1972 has grown into one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling and crisis intervention services, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, community and family services. We are dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs to promote the quality of life by catalyzing advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families.

The PSS works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing engagement services for our Wellness West clients to ensure client needs are accounted for and met, directly connecting the clients with services. The PSS is in the community, meeting our clients where they are – in their house, the hospital, or other community locations, including shelters. Their team works to assess the immediate needs of Wellness West clients, working collaboratively with other Wellness West organizations.

At Rincon, our commitment to mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity is woven into the structure of all that we do. We value:

• Dedication - Embodying effective and transparent leadership and quality client care.
• Education – Preventative programming and clinical services based on industry standards, competence and outreach.
• Accountability – Consistent service delivery, measurable success, and sensible financial management.
• Advocacy – Empowerment, reduction of treatment stigma, and relationship building with partners.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally diverse communities and equality through sensitivity to individual needs.

With these values in mind, we promote a culture that fosters professional development and agency success. Many of our employees span an extended tenure, and we pride ourselves on developing dedicated and supported team members.

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing:

• Attend hospital discharges of Wellness West clients and participate in the assessment with the behavioral case manager, within the required 90-minute time-frame upon referral.
• Provide, as needed, transportation to the client, bringing them home from the hospital.
• Focus on the case management and community support recovery needs of each client.
• Follow the treatment goals set in the assessment and treatment plan, created by the behavioral case manager.
• Monitor to ensure that the health and safety needs of our clients are met.
• Services and support are to be provided in ways that respect each client's dignity and are compliant with payer, licensing or accreditation procedures, or any other requirements.
• Coordinate care with other service providers, both internal and external to the agency, as appropriate and based on their Wellness West assessment.

Crisis Response

• Assists in de-escalation of clients experiencing a mental health crisis through engagement with client and coordination with team members providing clinical intervention.
• Establish rapport, share experiences, and strengthen engagement with the individual experiencing the crisis throughout all Crisis Programs.
• Role model positive recovery behaviors.
• Provides skill building and case management to clients with identified need.

Community Engagement

• Participate in outreach activities necessary to offer services, engage participation in a non-coercive manner and increase opportunities for professional development.
• Develop, maintain and establish linkages and relationships with community-based organizations to serve our clients and provide information on Wellness West services.
• Advocate for the clients and agency within the broader health and social service systems.
• Plan and document community engagement efforts in required formats.
• Some services may be in the community and pursuant to specific grant requirements.

Supervision and Oversight

• Participate in regular supervision from Wellness West, and agency supervisors as designated.
• Ensure services are delivered in accordance with the all regulatory standards.

Documentation and Compliance

• Services are to be documented in the clients' files within 48hrs of service delivery.
• Maintain client records that meet documentation standards of the funder, agency and all regulatory standards.
• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to Corporate Compliance policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners' and outside providers' patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EHR access. This includes immediate reporting of any PHI breach of Corporate Compliance or outside provider's health records to the Corporate Compliance Legal and Quality departments, as well as to the program administrator.

Professional Development

• Complete all funder, agency and other regulatory body required trainings, including topics like state administrative rules, sexual harassment, fraud waste and abuse, mandated reporter, clinical courses, diagnosis and other requirements.
• Complete all training required to keep any licenses or certifications relevant to your position and/or any grant.
• All other duties as assigned.

Rincon Rewards & Benefits- How we value you:

• Health insurance
• Dental & Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO (Paid time off)- Accrue up to 21 days in Year 1, some PTO carryover allowable.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employment may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Certain employees may qualify for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits

Rincon's Work Environment – What to expect:

Physical Demands: The PSS must be able to travel. This work is primarily in the community, either in responding to hospital discharges or in outreach and engagement activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees are responsible for informing supervisor of any invisible disability or medical restriction that limits physical capability.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There may be occasions that call for an employee to carry out duties at other agency offices or within the community. Staff must demonstrate flexibility and independence in coordinating travel arrangements, including the use of public transit, rideshare services, or other accommodations to ensure timely and effective mobility.

Schedule: This position is scheduled to be available 8:30am to 4:30, Monday thru Friday, with flexibility to be on-call 8am to 8pm at least 16 days a month, available to respond, face to face, for hospital discharges.

Language: Fluency in Spanish, bicultural applicants strongly preferred.

Requirements

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the Role:

• Good listening, communication, and case management skills. Able to tailor communication styles to make all clients and support structures feel safe and respected.
• Understand of the basic behavioral health needs common to the community areas being served, including co-occurring disorders, and how to serve their recovery.
• Understand internal and external community, medical and supportive services within the community.
• Ability to adapt, connect and collaborate across differences.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
• Desire to learn new skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork, efficiently and effectively.

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Willingness to work with individuals with co-occurring disorder (MH/SUD)
• Must pass pre-employment background checks. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
• Full time use of a properly licensed and insured automobile with a valid driver's license and ability to drive, or independence in travel arrangements.
• Must adhere to the agency's non-discrimination policies.