Peer Specialist

Job Summary: Under immediate to general supervision, provides peer support services. May serve as a patient/client/consumer advocate. Provides consumer information and peer support in consumers in emergencies, outpatient or inpatient settings. Performs a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in regaining control over their own recovery processes. Function as a role model of competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provides peer support services to assigned patient/client/consumers.
• Serves as an advocate for consumers within the facility and the community.
• Participates in treatment team activities.
• Leads recovery dialogues/self-help sessions with consumers.
• Participates in monitoring of consumer support services and programs.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading books, journals and the like.
• Provide transportation for consumers.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the clinical/service needs of all population(s).
• Demonstrates knowledge of and skill in the provision of age-specific care.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of working knowledge of the nature of serious mental illness; self-help techniques, provides enhance consumers empowerment skills and successful community living, community resources and information on specific topics, as assigned.
• Knowledge of consumers’ rights; agency and federal policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of client record documentation requirements; and implementation of client services plan development.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention protocol.
• Knowledge of peer individual and group therapy techniques
• Observe, record and report on an individual’s functioning;
• Ability to read and understand assessments, evaluations, observation, and use in developing treatment plan.
• Ability to assist consumers cultivate their independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
• Ability to empower other individuals with disabilities to explore new options, resources, relationships, feelings, attitudes and rights.
• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with consumers and their families in diverse populations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to maintain confidentiality, and to work independently under general supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal and “Listening” skills.
• Ability to Establish and prioritize goals and objectives of assigned program.
• Ability to assist consumers with successfully acquiring all income, entitlement benefits and health insurance for which the individual is eligible.
• Ability to facilitate relationships between Gateway, consumer families/legal guardians and various social service community resources, such as housing assistance, healthcare, job training and placement and substance abuse support groups.

Required Education & Experience:

Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience in advocacy or advisory or governance and one (1) continuous year as a current or former recipient of treatment (including mental health/substance abuse treatment or diagnosis) and eligibility for certification as Peer Specialist by the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Unlicensed Paraprofessional. Lived experience with SUD/MH diagnosis.

Gateway CSB promotes a drug/alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing.