Peer Support Specialist – Pittsburg
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS
POSITION: Peer Support Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Addition Treatment
REPORTS TO: Director of Addiction Services
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CORE VALUES
The core values of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) are dignity and stewardship. Each staff member is expected to perform their job duties in a way that preserves dignity for our patients and maintains good stewardship of the Center's resources.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is an active member of the Addiction Services team and provides peer support services to patients participating in the program. The PSS serves as a role model to peers exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serves as a consumer advocate. The PSS assists peers of all ages in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
1. Assist patients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. The PSS, in collaboration with the counselors, supports patients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving their goals.
2. Utilize evidence-based tools and approaches to assist patient in creating their own individual wellness and recovery plans.
3. Independently or with periodic assistance of treatment team members, utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups. As one who has been through the recovery process, will share their own experiences and what skills, strengths, supports and resources they use.
4. Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach patients how to identify and combat mental and physical triggers counter to recovery.
5. Support patients’ vocational choices and assists them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety and providing interview tips. Assist clients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy.
6. Assist patients in building social skills in the community.
7. Documents activities/progress in the EHR; participates in team meetings and ongoing education; assists with data collection related to outcomes.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. High school/GED required.
2. Certification by the state of Kansas as a Peer Specialist. Must be obtained with three months from date of hire
3. National certification by NAADAC preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
1. Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established, evidence-based methods.
2. Ability to teach and engage in basic problem solving strategies to support patients.
3. Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help and education groups.
4. Working knowledge of best practices in Addiction Services.
5. Ability to connect and relate to the target population in a culturally competent manner.
6. Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient-and employee-base
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the rationale of appropriate patient care.
8. Communicates through appropriate channels. Use proper chain of command for patient complaints.
9. Ability to handle emergency situations calmly and effectively.
10. Must be computer literate.
11. Must be able to maintain good inter-personal relationship with co-workers and other members of the health care team and the organization.
12. Provide customer service in accordance to the organization’s mission.
13. Be courteous and respectful when interacting with patients and family members.
14. Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance to organization’s policy and procedure and HIPAA requirements.
WORKING CONDITIONS
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Computer work is frequent. Good lighting and comfortable temperature of ventilation at all times. Operating a vehicle is a regular requirement of the position.