Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

Athens-Clarke - Pavilion - Athens, GA

Overview

Salary Range $21.00 - $22.00 Hourly Level Experienced Position Type Full Time Job Shift Day

Description

Under general supervision, staff leads approximately four hours of group per day using a person-centered, rehabilitation and recovery model in the delivery of services. While the services are geared toward the enhancement and practice of the skills in the areas of living, learning, social, and working environments. Peer Staff is responsible for observing, coaching, and documenting the progress of persons served. Staff can and do encourage clients to participate in community activities to facilitate real-life scenarios.

Examples of groups offered that facilitate client's decision-making abilities in the areas of self-care, illness management, life work, and community participation include learning about alcohol and drugs, self-esteem, money management, health, current events, pre-vocational activities, diagnoses, medication and symptoms, anger management, phobias, stress, anxiety, relaxation, developing leisure, social skills, wellness, independent living, planning for the weekend, and coping skills.

Provides a broad range of paraprofessional social services to clients and their families. Participates in treatment team planning and performs crisis intervention. Assists in dealing with personal and social problems. May provide supportive counseling to consumers and families and/or serve as a liaison for social services.

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards:

• Implements and organizes the delivery of services within the group setting.
• Peer will either facilitate or coach another peer to facilitate groups using an evidence-based program to address development of one's skills in the areas of living, learning, social, and working environments.
• Assists clients to create wellness recovery action plans, teaches techniques to address negative self-talk, teaches problem-solving skills, assist to build social skills and educates about mental illness and recovery in a group setting.
• Thoroughly observes client's progress for compliance to and in obtaining treatment plan goals through group sessions, one-on-one interviews, and other contacts/interactions.
• Writes concise, accurate and clear observation notes in clients' charts as required by departmental policy. Promptly notifies the appropriate professional of any unusual client incident/situation.
• Maintains program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research.
• Develops and effectively maintains a network of appropriate contacts within the agency.
• Provides appropriate input in strategy or review sessions/staffing, committees and task forces to facilitate linkages and communication. Provides appropriate information and/or input in meetings pertaining to Day Programs.
• Monitors client's progress towards treatment goals.
• Conducts group and individual sessions to provide appropriate guidance and direction pertaining to personal and social development within established guidelines.
• Conducts educational sessions according to accepted methodologies in a group setting.
• Conducts group sessions using established procedures and methods to promote planned changes in client's support system.
• Provides social and psychological support to clients and their families through listening and discussing problems and progress as necessary.
• Recognizes the need for client crisis intervention and reacts appropriately to routine situations and/or promptly notifies the person on call or immediate supervisor.

Job Description: Group Facilitator – Clarke Peer Support - Model healthy coping skills, recovery principals and positive communication.

Provides resources for crisis intervention and emergency shelter services when appropriate.

Maintain yearly training and engage in continuing education as applicable.

Attends internal and external educational programs and professional meetings as available for continuing professional education.

Reads and evaluates professional literature continually.

Incorporates knowledge of pertinent new trends and developments into services.

Makes recommendations for any related organizational changes.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Exposure Class: 2 – Low risk. May be called to assist with client care or called in to assist in emergency situations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Certified Peer specialist-High school diploma or GED AND One year of experience in a social services-related position OR Two years at an accredited college or university with at least 15 credit hours in a social services-related field. CPS or CARES certified

Preferred Qualifications:

CPS certified, an associate's degree in social work, pre-social work, psychology, mental health, nursing, education, or a related field and one (1) year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in social services delivery (case management, outreach, prevention/education, etc.).