The Peer Support Specialist will function as a role model to peers, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills. They will serve as an advocate, providing supportive information and peer support for members in outpatient and inpatient settings. Using their recovery or work-related experience, the Peer Support Specialist performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages with regards to regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Recovery resources such as booklets, videos and other materials will be utilized by the Peer Support Specialist in the provision of services, including driving the client to supportive services when requested by management.

Responsibilities:

• Observe members, listen to their concerns, records their observations and reports to mental health professionals about any unusual behavior(s).
• Aid in various daily living activities to support the re-entry and recovery processes.
• Assess a member’s changes in mood, and determine whether it is positive, negative or potentially dangerous. Peer Support Specialist must be able to assess whether it is positive, negative or potentially dangerous, as well as take steps to modify the member’s actions or alert medical or therapist professionals.
• Assist members in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions.
• Support members in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.
• Assist members in working with their Case Manager and Treatment Team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery.
• Assist members in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.
• Encourage ongoing individual and group sessions to teach members how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and Peer Support to share their experiences. By using identified literature, media, etc., members will gain hope, learn to identify their strengths and combat negative self-talk.
• Support members vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips. This support is in direct partnership with the Case Management team.
• Assist members in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
• Maintain safety for themselves and their members, which can include securing documents, files, as well as restraining violent members.
• Provide direct support as needed to the treatment team for in-house members or on supervised trips.
• When required and assigned by management, drive members daily to their approved destinations. This may include maintaining a safe and clean vehicle and using navigation apps to determine the best route.
• Day and Swing shift is expected to encounter members for 300 minutes per 8 hour shift. 1,500 Minutes total for the week.
• Overnight shift is expected to encounter members for 150 minutes per 8 hour shift. 750 minutes total for the week.

Qualifications & Education Requirements:

• Training in the following areas: managing aggressive behavior, interpersonal skills, abnormal psychology, chemical dependency and counseling.
• Excellent professional and ethical boundaries across all aspects of the peer support and member therapeutic relationship.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
• Must be punctual and accountable.
• Successful recovery and direct work experience in similar behavioral health setting is required.
• Computer skills – KIPU, MS Office (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum one (1) year Peer Support Specialist experience.
• Peer Support Specialist certification is required.
• Valid AZ driver’s license may be required.
• Successful clearance of MVR may be required.
• Successful clearance of pre-employment background check.
• Successful clearance of annual TB testing.
• Successful clearance of pre-employment drug screen.

New Freedom Ops LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, a drug free workplace, and complies with Veteran and ADA regulations as applicable.