Job Description

Responsibilities

Primary Job Function and Responsibilities

• Promoting self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction; assisting individuals in identifying strengths; wellness goals; setting objectives, and identifying barriers;
• Attending treatment team meetings with the individual to promote the individual's use of self-directed advocacy tools; assisting the individual in goal planning, assisting the individual in learning how to ask for appropriate services in the community
• Works collaboratively with AHS team members and outside entities
• Model self-advocacy skills;
• Teaching wellness management strategies and helping individuals develop their own self-management plans/tools to use in their personal lives;
• Connecting to support groups in the community to learn from other peers, to promote hope, to problem-solve through work situations, and to decrease social isolation;
• Providing education to other staff to increase their understanding of self-advocacy and peer support roles, and to promote a culture in which an individuals’ points of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into service delivery;
• Providing resources and teaching transportation skills (teaching bus routes, etc.);
• Sharing his or her own personal story to model how to choose, obtain, and maintain stability;
• Supporting individuals in making informed decisions about treatment, housing, benefits, and building community connections;
• Provides individual and group peer support work with individuals
• Building social skills in the community that will enhance recovery;
• Assisting in overcoming barriers to recovery and addressing challenges;
• Assisting in obtaining the proper documentation necessary for benefits, employment, and housing;
• Assisting the individual in completing paperwork when necessary while encouraging independence;
• Conducts outreach in a variety of settings to engage adults who are homeless and have a substance use disorder;
• Leading peer recovery support groups;
• Transports clients when appropriate and necessary
• Assists in connecting clients to support groups in the community to learn from other peers, to promote hope, to problem-solve through work situations, and to decrease social isolation
• Offers hope and encouragement by serving as a role model in recovery.
• Makes multiple contacts to patients per week as needed while maintaining healthy professional boundaries with patients

Supervision and Consultation:

• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement

Record Keeping:

• Maintains confidential files containing required information
• Maintains documentation for those individuals receiving services
• Provides timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including, Medicaid, and others.

Courteous and respectful towards patients, visitors and co-workers:

• Treats patients with care, dignity, and compassion
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists patients and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm with patients and families

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures.

Attends to required in-service training and other workshops.

Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent and Peer Specialist Certification through State of Alabama Department of Mental Health. Must be 23 years of age, maintain a valid Alabama driver license and an acceptable driving record, and have proof of current liability insurance.

• Knowledge of substance use disorders in the adult population;
• Knowledge of cultural diversity;
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles;
• Knowledge of available community resources;
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with substance use disorders;
• Knowledge of twelve-step support groups such as AA, NA, CA, and other self-help groups;
• Knowledge of behavioral management, crisis intervention to patients with substance use disorders;

• Knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive disease and other substance related disorders; and
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system including court hearings, judges, court referral officers, probation officers if applicable

Experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred. Ability to work as an effective team player is essential