Peer Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Are you looking to join a well-established healthcare team that values hard work, innovation while maintaining a work-life balance? Are you a positive, energetic, and organized person who thrives with minimal supervision and a fast-paced work environment? Would you enjoy coming to work every day, filling a key role in a fun environment that values your positive, can-do' attitude? If this describes you, we're eager to talk!
At Bluegrass Community Health Center we are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the commitment they bring.
The Peer Support Specialist in collaboration with the PCMH team is responsible for providing medical care, behavioral health, and enabling services to patients receiving substance use treatment. The PSS must be a person in recovery who can share personal knowledge and insight in order to guide and advocate for patients during the recovery process. The incumbent assists licensed medical personnel in delivering and documenting medical care, follow-up and health education according to established policies and procedures and Patient Centered Medical Home principles.

The Peer Support Specialist will:
Provide direct care services:
• Interact with patients and others in a respectful and culturally competent manner.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient personal, financial, and health records.
• Ensure patients are identified with two forms of identification (i.e. name, DOB) at each visit.
• Communicate with patients, families, and guests in a professional and courteous manner.
• Utilize interpreters/interpreting line as indicated to ensure effective communication.
• Serve as a role model and share personal insight into the recovery process in effort to motivate and support patients.
• Work with patients to develop a personal recovery plan.
• Assist patients in identifying personal strengths, family/social support and community resources.
• Assist in linking patients and families to social/other services for identified needs and provide follow-up to ensure successful transitions.
• Provide recovery education to individual patients, families, and groups.
• Provide peer counseling to patients.
• Will attend Outreach Events or Health Fairs as scheduled by Supervisor.
• Recognize the legal and funding implications of correct medical documentation.
• Document collected patient data correctly in-patient chart.
• Document details of direct patient care, phone calls to/from patient, and mail correspondence correctly in-patient chart.
• Process incoming/outgoing faxes.
• Process scanned medical records; ensure records are filed correctly and in correct patient file.
• Ensure that EHR system, patient records/identification, and system password are protected.
• Follow HIPAA and patient confidentiality policy.

Work with care team:
• Participate in pre-visit planning and post-visit follow-up care.
• Provide recovery education to PCMH team members and BCHC administration.
• Collaborate with the PCMH team to develop treatment plans for patients, advocating for shared decision making that respects patients' right to self-determination.
• Educate PCMH team members on community resources.
• Provide feedback to PCMH team members on patients' successes and challenges related to the treatment plan.
• Offer suggestions to PCMH team members and BCHC administration to improve the quality of services provided to patients in substance use treatment.
• Must excel in time management, reliability and responsible use of time off.

Work with outside agencies:
• Build and strengthen relationships with community resources for patients in substance use treatment.
• Help maintain up-to-date referral manual.
• Participate in other outreach events as necessary to promote awareness of substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Supports the office functions by completing all other duties and special projects as assigned
• Networks and completes professional development activities to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Attends meetings, training, and other events as requested.
• Provides backup coverage and assistance to other employees as required or requested.
• Cross trained to support other staff, Intake Clerk, Care Coordinator or assist RNs. May assist with telephones and check in if needed.
• Assists others in the department to effectively handle workload.
• Acts in compliance with contracts, laws, regulations, BCHC policies, procedures and standards.
• Completes special projects and other duties as assigned.

Benefit Package
• 10-paid holidays
• Paid day off for your birthday
• PTO starts accruing from day one and is available to use after 90 days.
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Employer paid life insurance
• 401K-Employees are eligible for 401K after 6 months of employment with company match at 6%

Minimum Education Required: High-school graduate or equivalent

License/Certification: Currently certified in good standing as a Kentucky Peer Support Specialist

Minimum Experience Preferred: 1 year experience providing peer support services. Prefer health-related experience in a federally qualified health clinic setting.

Rate of Pay:
$17.00-$24.50 DOE