Peer Support Specialist

Job Summary

This WCS Certified Peer Support Specialist position is located at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and is embedded within their clinical programming. The position provides Certified Peer Support Services to peers assigned to their caseload, that include a wide range of supports to assist the peer with mental health and/or substance use issues in the recovery process. These services promote wellness, self-direction, and recovery by enhancing the skills and abilities of peers to meet their chosen goals. The services help peers negotiate mental health and/or substance use systems with dignity, and without trauma. The position requires some level of independent judgement and decision-making ability in the course of their work to support peers and work with them to determine inventions they need to meet their goals.This position will seek supervision and support with their DHHS team, as well as their program manager and follow direction in the course of their work.The Peer Support Specialist in this role must be certified through the State of Wisconsin. The Peer Support Specialist will comply with all forms of required documentation of WCS and DHHS for their position (the County Avatar system, Activity Reports, and more).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the individuals served, including being available by cell phone on nights and weekends.
• Provide individual peer support services for people involved in DHHS clinical outpatient services, in accordance with the peer’s individualized treatment and recovery plan, lending their unique insight into substance use and mental health issues and what makes recovery possible.
• Acting as a role model and demonstrating techniques in recovery and coping skills, including but not limited to assisting them with effective recovery-based services, finding self-help groups, problem solving techniques, building social skills, combatting negative self-talk,.
• Link individuals to a variety of self-determined supports and services/resources within the Waukesha community, and how to use natural/ family supports in the recovery process.
• Attend DHHS treatment team and clinical supervision meetings as required to promote peers on their caseload using self-directed recovery tools.
• Support individuals to become the expert of their own lived experience and develop a voice and choice around service participation to be empowered in their recovery.
• Responsible for maintainingup-to-date accurate documentation of all direct contacts in Avatar (county database) and county spreadsheets with training by the DHHS Clinical Supervisor, including the peer’s name, date of service, service code, direct service minutes, if face-to-face, document time in minutes, location of service, travel time and miles, narrative of service summarizing staff intervention and response of the peer, signature with date of Certified Peer Support Specialist documented notes, and staff signature requires credentials.
• Responsible for any documentation required by the WCS Program Manager.
• Required to turn in program spreadsheets in an accurate and timely fashion. Avatar and Activity Reports must match.
• Complete all agency training as required within the agency timelines.
• Attend and participate in monthly in-person WCS team meetings as required.
• Attend dedicated supervision meetings with the DHHS clinical team, and other meetings required by DHHS.
• Assist Program Manager with planning and participating in community building and recovery activities and events.
• Attend in-service training and conferences as required by WCS or DHHS.
• Interaction with outside agencies, as requested.
• This position requires some limited driving for work-related duties and community outreach.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager or leadership of the DHHS clinical team.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a high-school diploma

• Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements.
• Must pass a driving record background check to be eligible to drive in the community during work hours.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check (both WCS and DHHS), drug test, and driver’s license check.
• Program specific knowledge : (ex. AODA, mental health, youth, etc.). Examples:
  • Must be certified with the State of Wisconsin for Peer Support.
  • One to two years of experience as a peer support is preferred. For some contracts this may be required.
  • Must have lived experience with substance use or mental health disorders and extensive understanding of the core competencies of Peer Support.
  • Comprehensive understanding of substance use and mental health disorders, and knowledge of resources in the community that are available to the people served in the Peer Support Program (such as housing, employment, treatment, support with food insecurities, parenting resources, and more).
  • General knowledge of psychoeducation services (providing education and resources, skills training, problem solving, social and emotional support for mental health or substance use issues), and education around medication compliance, addiction as a disease, cross addiction, and abstinence from all non-prescribed medication or mood alternating substances in recovery.
  • General knowledge of supporting individuals in crisis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Communication – Ability to provide information effectively with a diverse population - the persons we serve, agency leadership, supervisor, colleagues, the DHHS Clinical Team and leadership, and program partners in writing and oral communications.
• Technological Aptitude – Ability to use general technological skills throughout daily job i.e., Email, Internet, company specified systems, (ex. Microsoft 365, Windows, Word, Excel).
• Managing Priorities/Deadlines – Ability to maintain schedules, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to think critically and be solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment and adapt to program changes and challenges. Must be able to demonstrate good judgement when faced with peers in crisis.
• Adaptability – Ability to manage change, deal with situations as they arise and work independently or as part of a team.
• Teamwork – Ability to work as a team with WCS and the DHHS Clinical Team and participate productively and respectfully while also managing independent contributing duties and responsibilities.
• Motivation – Possess a commitment to the assigned job and assigned peers, mission, and core values of the organization while also supporting a respectful and harmonious work setting.
• Professionalism – Ability to conduct oneself with a high level of professional conduct, integrity, ethics and boundaries.
• Multicultural Sensitivity – The role involves working in the community and interacting directly with diverse populations, including peers served in the program, partners, and service providers. As such, the employee must demonstrate professionalism, respect, integrity, cultural sensitivity, and strong interpersonal skills while representing the organization in a variety of settings.
• Program Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Psychoeducation, behavior tailoring, relapse prevention planning, development of recovery action plan, recovery and/or resilience training, social support building, teaching coping skills, assistance with engaging in health/telehealth services, post-overdose outreach services to peers and their families with linkages to treatment, recovery support, harm reduction resources, psychosocial resources, communicable disease screening, and education.
• Agency Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Understanding of the agency Employment Handbook, Employee Code of Conduct, UKG (payroll system), Power DMS (required agency policies and procedures), Avatar database, SharePoint with employee resources and agency announcements and news, as well as other forms, Empathy Interviews, and admin departments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position is not a remote position. The majority of work is performed at the DHHS Office, with some limited outreach required. Community-based work is required when requested by DHHS or the WCS Program Manager, including home visits and other community-based locations; must be able to go up and downstairs, stand, sit, and be able to get in and out and drive their own vehicle. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Majority of work is conducted in an office environment, with office work performed at an assigned DHHS office, sitting at a desk and using the computer, as well as limited travel required for time spent in the community engaging with peers and completing required documentation for billable activities; 40 hours per week; typical work schedule is flexible depending on DHHS requirements, to include evening groups, but generally 8am-4:40pm which may include some evenings and weekend work for crisis (mostly phone, limited face-to-face contact) with all contact documented. Employee follows DHHS rules on lunch breaks. All hours worked outside normal business hours must be pre-approved by the Peer Support Program Manager.

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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