EPICC PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Job Description

This position provides professional peer-based recovery support for individuals suffering from a behavioral health crisis in a community setting. The employee will reach EPICC patients in the field, complete data entry requirements promptly, and manage agency-specific tasks and responsibilities. The employee is responsible for arranging/providing services to patients that encourage and promote healthy functioning, recovery efforts, individual independence/self-care, and self-efficacy. Peer Specialists support, encourage, and model recovery and resilience from substance use disorders and mental illness in ways specific to individual's needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Adhere to Agency Policies and Procedures and Code of Ethics. Maintain confidentiality for patients and staff at all times.
2. Follow the monthly schedule provided by EPICC supervisors (a maximum of 2 weekends per month and be able to respond to calls 24/7 when scheduled).
3. Provide outreach services to individuals who have overdosed and motivate them/provide linkages to treatment services (services are provided in the ER during and after business hours/in the community during business hours).
4. Provides individual assistance to the consumer to access and utilize a variety of community agencies (e.g., mental health, health, public services, and other community resources), as clinically indicated, including accompanying patients to appointments to address needs when indicated.
5. Provides support to patients experiencing a recurrence of a behavioral health disorder or crisis by completing follow-ups with referral agencies to ensure the patient was connected/admitted to the agency.
6. Complete follow-ups to keep the patient engaged or re-engaged and complete status updates at two weeks, 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months post outreach.
7. Sharing lived experiences of recovery, sharing and supporting the use of recovery tools, and modeling successful recovery behaviors.
8. Help individuals to make independent choices and to take a proactive role in their recovery through engagement in community resources.
9. Assist individuals with identifing strengths, barriers, obstacles and personal resources to aid in their setting and achieving recovery goals.
10. Must be able to use the agency electronic medical record program for all EPICC documentation.
11. Attends multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings. Attends staff meetings and training as required.
12. Develops and maintains professional rapport and relationships with consumers; develops and maintains professional, constructive and cooperative working relationships within the agency and with state and local public assistance and social service organizations. Maintain positive, professional relationships with referral sources and represent the agency in a professional manner in the community.
13. Meets bi-weekly with program leadership to debrief from on-call shifts, discuss cases and engagement strategies, and ensure appropriate documentaiton completion.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISED BY:

Program Director

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

None

QUALIFICATIONS:

This employee must have good verbal and written communication skills. High School Diploma or GED is required. Previous lived experience with substance use. Must be able to obtain within 6 months, and maintain throughout course of employment, the CPS (Certified Peer Specialist) credential established by the MCB. Possess a valid driver’s license and remains insurable, under the Gibson Center for Behavioral Change automobile liability insurance. Must be able to pass a background check or request an exception to the findings.