Peer Support Specialist II

We are recruiting for a motivated Peer Support Specialist II to join our team!

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Department

Substance Use Disorder Oper

The following positions within Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatry, Inpatient Adult Psychiatry, Psychiatric Emergency Services, CARES, and Outpatient Behavioral Health Services are offering the opportunity to enroll in a new program offering a cash incentive to recognize your work treating patients with substance use disorders. This program is sponsored through the ACCESS (Advancing Careers, Competencies, and Equity in Substance Treatment Services) grant. Employees must be >0.6 FTE to be eligible. 50% of the bonus will be received 90 days after signing the program contract.

· Registered Nurses (RNs) may earn up to $7,500 by December 2024
· Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) may earn up to $3,500 by December 2024
· Care Navigators may earn up to $3,500 by December 2024

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist II will provide support, assistance, and advocation for individuals with substance use and mental health challenges by utilizing their own lived experiences to provide support, mentoring, and sharing of resources. The Peer Support Specialist will aid clients in building community, creating relationships, connecting with follow-up care and resources, mentoring, and setting goals and helping clients to overcome obstacles to achieving their goals. The Peer Support Specialist will build relationships with hospitals, community mental health and service providers, harm reduction organizations, supportive housing agencies, and law enforcement to educate each about the availability of treatment and to support effective linkage to services and supports.

Essential Functions:

• Perform outreach and engagement into local evidence-based treatment for people experiencing substance misuse and mental health challenges. Create authentic and meaningful supportive relationships with individuals with substance use and/or mental health challenges seeking treatment and understand their needs to assist them in being linked to the appropriate supportive resources. Facilitate peer recovery support services, in a group and/or individual settings. Assist participants with the creation of a personal recovery plan and/or provide resources to reduce barriers to care. Assist patients in completing any necessary paperwork. Document appropriately according to job requirements. (35%)
• Partner with treatment providers, hospitals, Emergency Departments, harm reduction organizations, support services, law enforcement, and community-based organizations to educate each about the availability of treatment and ensure effective linkage to services from the community. Participate in regular community meetings focused on addressing substance misuse and mental health challenges, as assigned by supervisor. (20%)
• Assist patients in accessing therapeutic and supportive services, promote personal growth, development, and recovery while meeting patients where they are at. Be a mentor and role model, aid in goal setting, building skills, and removing barriers to follow up care. Advocate for people in recovery while serving as a living example of someone who has previously suffered from addiction or mental health issues and desires to help others achieve and maintain recovery. (40%)
• Develops resource lists and workflows for ease of transitions between internal and external programs and departments. (5%)

Education:

• No High School Diploma and/or No GED Required
• High School Diploma or GED Preferred

Work Experience:

• Lived experience of recovery from substance use and/or successful management of mental health challenges for a minimum of 1 year (longer period preferred). Required and
• Certified as a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS), National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) certification, or an equivalent peer certification. Full certification required. OR willingness to complete full certification within 6 months of employment. Required and
• Minimum of 1 year experience in peer support position or relevant work in similar field. Required

Licenses:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong, effective, responsive communication skill. Excellent customer service.
• Organized and attention to details.
• Ability to summarize the positive effects personal recovery experience, and willing to shar