Peer Support Specialist

Summary

DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision provides peer to peer support services for clients and their family members/caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services; assists in developing and coordinating activities, programs and resources which directly support clients in achieving wellness and recovery oriented goals; serves as a team member; conducts outreach to clients, family members/caregivers and the community; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is an entry-level classification, working with close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine peer support tasks. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Essential Job Functions

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Provides peer to peer support services which include, but are not limited to, monitoring, informing, supporting, assisting and empowering clients who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services, as well as their family members/caregivers.
• Provides outreach to peer clients to engage them in services and overcome barriers to participation in behavioral health services; may act as an interpreter in contacts involving non-English speaking residents.
• Assists in the coordination and development of support services; provides information on community resources available for services provided by the County and the community.
• Assists clients with applications; explains eligibility requirements; helps with Medi-Cal enrollment; and coordinates transportation for clients.
• Documents and captures all client interaction and maintains timely reporting of same per agency standards and Medi-Cal billing requirements.
• Assists peer clients and/or family members in tracking and implementing recovery and wellness goals; offers support, encouragement and hope; models effective coping and self-help strategies to targeted populations; advocates on behalf of peer and family members as necessary.
• Accompanies peer clients to meetings and appointments to support their self-advocacy and facilitate better communication with service providers.
• Serves as mentor to teach and show peer clients and family members how to function more independently and in finding community resources; assists with access/linkage to community resources such as housing, transportation, education and employment.
• Serves as a role model to build and sustain connections and relationships with peer clients and the community.
• Assists peer clients in a wide variety of daily living activities, such as completing applications and forms, providing transportation, and navigating support service systems.
• Participates in production and/or distribution of support and educational materials and in training activities; conducts orientation sessions for center or program events and services.
• Attends meetings and workshops to gain further knowledge and skills to better serve peer clients and the community; serves as a peer representative to program activities and meetings.
• Assists with administrative and clerical tasks as assigned; maintains files and records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations and services provided through a peer support program.
• Behavioral health issues within targeted population groups.
• Principles and practices of building and maintaining strong relationships and connections to peers.
• Program policies and procedures.
• Applicable state and federal laws governing assigned services, including those related to confidentiality.
• Community resources and service agencies, including both private and other public agencies.
• Basic needs and challenges for individuals and families accessing behavioral health services, including cultural barriers.
• Community socio-economic and cultural demographics.
• Methods and techniques of providing outreach services to the community.
• Methods and techniques of communicating program services to a diverse community.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Provide peer and mentoring services to and peer clients and their families/caregivers.
• Provide referrals for services within the County and the community.
• Provide a safe and welcoming environment for peer clients.
• Through coaching and support, inspire hope and confidence in peer clients.
• Understand the socio-economic and cultural differences in a diverse community and how they impact peer client behavior.
• Work as a member of a team to deliver effective program services.
• Maintain confidentiality of information received when providing services.
• Demonstrate strong active listening skills.
• Maintain files and records.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
• Successful completion of Butte County Department of Behavioral Health approved training by the end of the probationary period, such as State approved Peer Certification Training; Full Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) (2 day) training or the WRAP Facilitator (5 day) training; Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in out-patient, clinics, jails or juvenile facilities and standard office settings; use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required; frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
• Vision to observe client behavior read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a clinic, home, community and/or office environment.
• Work involves the potential exposure to hostile situations and infectious diseases.
• Some non-standard work hours may be required.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes a motor vehicle, personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.