Substance Use Peer, Certified Recovery Support Specialist

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;

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