Peer Support Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Adheres to agency policy and procedures; also adheres to CARF and DMHSAS standards and criteria, CCBHC practices, federal and state confidentiality rules and regulations, and any special funding source requirements including Medicaid and HCA regulations. Supports and promotes a service environment for individuals in need of behavioral health and/or co-occurring services that is recovery focused, welcoming, and attentive to the needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma in their lives. Attends annual core competencies training in relationship to individuals with co-occurring disorders or who have experienced trauma in their lives. Establishes and maintains professional working relationships with supervisor and peers. Can effectively work within a team or group setting cohesively. Utilizes knowledge, skills, and abilities to teach and mentor the value of every individual's recovery experience; model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies; assist service recipients in articulating immediatestabilizing personal goals for recovery. Responds to HOPE Crisis line, First Responder IPAD, and 988 dispatch calls to help clients in crisis. Responds to calls in the community to de-escalate or provide linkage to the level of care needed. Establishes rapport with clients, assessing client needs; organizes, plans, and delivers face-to-face client services; and provides verbal de-escalation when necessary. Provides and advocates for effective recovery-oriented services Assists consumers in obtaining services that suit that individual's recovery needs. Informs consumers about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process. Assists clients in finding and accessing community resources needed to maintain independent functioning. Responsible for maintaining strictest confidentiality guidelines for interactions regarding consumer and family information. Available Shifts – Sunday through Tuesday 7am to 7pm or 7pm to 7am with rotating Wednesdays; Thursday through Saturday 7am to 7pm or 7pm to 7am with rotating Wednesdays; PRN available to cover call ins and vacations Responsible for seeking out supervisory assistance for additional training and to enhance skill set as needed. Reports and documents services in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Adheres to HOPE policy and procedure of having documentation completed by the end of the next business day. May be required to work evening or weekend hours. May provide coverage for URC MHT staff. May be required to provide client transportation using a personal vehicle or agency owned vehicle. Performs other related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE High School diploma or GED and have demonstrated recovery from a mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or both. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS May be required to obtain certification for C-PRSS Required to complete Therapeutic Options or approved safety training and annual updates. May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certifications. In order to provide client transportation, must possess current valid Oklahoma license, and meet HOPE insurance requirements. HOPE will annually obtain copy of Motor Vehicle Record from the Department of Public Safety. Language Skills Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence and clinical writing/documentation in medical records chart. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to families, clients, and other employees of the organization. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to seek out supervisory assistance for additional training when needed and make application of techniques or other skills to meet essential job duties and responsibilities. Other Skills And Abilities Ability to engage clients in distress with empathy, calm presence, and non-judgmental communication Skilled in conducting suicide risk assessments and developing collaborative, strengths-based safety plans Demonstrates sound clinical judgment and decision-making, especially in high-acuity situations Strong understanding of trauma and its impact on emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning Ability to navigate sensitive conversations with respect for client autonomy, dignity, and cultural identity Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with flexibility to respond to same-day referrals and shifting priorities Effective written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on clear, respectful, and strengths-based documentation Commitment to collaborative care and ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team Familiarity with community resources, crisis protocols, and systems of care that support suicide prevention Proficiency in using electronic health records and willingness to learn agency-specific documentation systems Maintains appropriate professional boundaries while building trust and rapport with clients and families Dependable attendance and reliability in maintaining scheduled appointments and follow-up contacts PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must have vision enough to read written or typed data. Must have hearing and speech enough to communicate effectively with staff, clients, and public in person or by phone. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. #J-18808-Ljbffr