Peer Support Specialist, Crisis

This is a responsible, professional position who works with individuals who are receiving clinical services through our organization. They must have personal experience ("lived experience") in mental health or substance abuse services and be able to appropriately disclose and share that experience with individuals receiving services through our organization. The Peer Specialistsupports individuals by sharing their own lived experience in order to foster hope, build resiliency, and develop self-advocacy skills that will empower them to reach their goals.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

• Provide peer support to individuals who are receiving services at the Carastar CrisisCenter or who have accessed the crisis response system by sharing lived experiences and building trust and rapport.
• Offer support and guidance to consumers as they receive services and support at the CCC.
• Explain the procedures to the consumer as they enter the Temporary Observation Unit or Extended Observation Unit, answer any questions, and provide support throughout the process.
• Serve as advocate for consumer's needs.
• Connect consumers to community supports, natural supports, and additional programs.
• Coordinate outreach and engagement efforts in the community.
• Encourage consumers to identify goals and create action plans in tandem with the treatment team to reach them.
• Foster hope and approach the individual's skills from a strengths-based perspective.
• Practice culturally responsive communication and interaction with individuals and their families and/or natural supports.
• Act as a resource and safe person for consumers to approach with questions, concerns, and accomplishments.
• Facilitate trainings and groups as scheduled and requested.
• Attend staff and agency meetings, trainings, and other events as scheduled and approved by supervisor.
• Provide follow up to individuals who accessed the crisis response system and/or the CCC.
• Document all services provided in the electronic health record.
• Complete reports and other paperwork as assigned by supervisor.
• Assist consumers in developing a personal recovery plan.
• Assist in identifying barriers to the consumer's recovery.
• Help identify consumer's individual warning signs and help develop ways to prevent relapse in order to avoid hospitalizations.
• Assist in developing problem solving skills, coping skills, and communication skills.
• Assist consumers in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have personal experience ("lived experience") in mental health or substance abuse services and be able to appropriately disclose and share that experience with young adults receiving treatment through our organization.
• Must demonstrate basic understanding of the public mental health system.
• Must demonstrate basic knowledge in self-help, peer support, coping skills and recovery.
• Must have an ability to work with individuals and groups and to facilitate peer support and self help groups.
• Knowledge of consumer rights and advocacy.
• Must have good communication skills, both written and oral.
• The ability to service as a role model, showing by example that recovery is possible.
• The ability to assist individuals with mental illness in developing coping skills and self-esteem.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have personally experienced mental illness and/or substance use disorder and be in recovery.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must complete and pass Certified Peer Specialist training that issponsored and approved by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, within 90 days of hire.
• Must hold a valid driver's license andmaintain a driving record that is acceptable to Carastar's insurance carrier.
• Must maintain at least liability coverage on personal vehicles.