Certified Peer Support Specialist in Odessa, Texas at PermiaCare

Job Number: 333

Location: Odessa

Supervises: N

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Division: MH

Salary: $18.41 per hour. Sign on bonus may be available.

Shift: M-F 8am - 5pm; Assignedwork hours may change as the needs of the agency and clients change

Driving required: Y

Travel required: Y

Settings: office, field

POSITION SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

Peer Specialists provide servicesunder the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model whichoffers a more comprehensive, holistic, and integrated model of treatment.Mental Health Peer support services are services designed and delivered byindividuals who have experienced a mental challenge and are in recovery orfamily members of those who have experienced a mental health challenge and arein recovery. Peer support services foster hope and promote a belief in thepossibility of recovery. The Mental Health Peer Specialist assists individualswith mental illness throughout the recovery process, helps individuals gainskills to promote recovery, helps individuals access resources, and helpsindividuals regain confidence to succeed in society. Mental Health Peer Specialists will workclosely with other staff to help individuals navigate services entry, closegaps in services, provide transportation, and to access resources in thecommunity. By providing assistance in a non-judgmental and compassionatemanner, this position helps individuals to better understand their ownsituations and develop coping mechanisms to make positive change.

This position works independently,under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodicmeetings.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHERQUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience Required: At least 1 year of experience working withindividuals with mental illness.

Registration, Certification,Licensure or other Qualifications Required:

• Must maintain a valid TexasDriver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable toPermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal historyand background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Must obtain Mental Health PeerSpecialist certification within 6 months.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct support services toclients as directed by supervisor including help patients navigate PermiaCareand other systems within the community, use evidence-based models to enhancethe delivery of peer support services, transport individuals, assist withunderstanding and communicating with medical personnel.
• Provide holistic care across thehealth spectrum by addressing all needs identified by client.
• Provide indirect support servicesto clients as directed by supervisor.
• Encourage and/or includeparticipation of family members and others important to the client, subject toprivacy and confidentiality requirements and client's consent.
• Provide individual and group peersupport services to consumers with severe and persistent mental illness (ifapplicable.)
• Participate in Advisory Committeesas assigned.
• Be supportive of client andencourage them to utilize choice and voice in their treatment and recoverygoals.
• Facilitate the development of asense of wellness and self-worth in clients.
• Provide emotional support andencouragement to peers who are struggling.
• Listen to peers and offer adviceor resources to help them cope with difficult situations.
• Assist peers in identifying andaccessing available resources in the community.
• Advocate for the rights of peersand ensure their safety.
• Document peer interactions,conversations and progress.
• Education peers on topics such asmental health, substance use and self-care.
• Meet unit performance measures ortargets.
• Maintain assigned caseload ofindividuals with mental illness.
• Coordinate services to designatedcaseload.
• Enter accurate and appropriatedocumentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality ofsensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected healthinformation in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, andestablished procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliablephysical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptnessare required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistencyand completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect,and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct andStandards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effectivework relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors,co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectfulbehavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly withsupervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in atimely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phonemessages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean workingenvironment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions andinteractions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism whenrepresenting PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legalrequirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and currentdriver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliabletransportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assignedprior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposesof ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other Peer SupportSpecialists as needed.
• Apply knowledge of the Medicaidcovered services for this position, the proper application of these services,and the codes used to describe these services.
• Progress notes clearly showprogress or lack of progress in accordance with current provider agreement.(Meeting Minimum Requirements of Current Internal Provider Agreement).
• Engage in direct work with clientsand in indirect work that supports their work with clients. Direct workincludes advocacy, connecting to resources, experiential sharing, buildingcommunity, relationship building, group facilitation, skillbuilding/mentoring/goal setting, and socialization/self-esteem building.
• Complete required documentationwithin timeframe assigned.
• Provide translation, ifapplicable.
• Participate in team meeting orstaffings.
• Participate in communityactivities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups andcommittees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES ANDCOMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of mental illness,treatment and systems of care.
• Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicaidcovered services and the proper application of these services.
• Ability to provide support toindividuals in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability toprotect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearlyand effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer serviceskills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance andpunctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informedtheories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability todifferent work environments.
• Excellent computer skills,including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with variousinter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB andCPR/First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills,including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort ininteracting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economicbackgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminaljustice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize newskills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively andproductively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons atall levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highlyconfidential information.
• Ability to remain calm instressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule workand implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism byappropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/orcompany vehicle. This position mayrequire travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and/orlocations outside the PermiaCare catchment area. This position may require transport of agencyindividuals and/or individuals served.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Abilities Required:

• Light Lifting, under 15 lbs
• Light Carrying, under 15 lbs
• Walking
• Standing
• Sitting
• Operating office equipment
• Operating motor vehicle
• Ability to see
• Hearing (with aid)
• Ability to write
• Ability to count
• Ability to read
• Ability to tell time

Other (specify): driving required. May require some travelafter hours and overnight.

WORKSITE CONDITIONS:

• Travel
• Inside
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

ADA Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EEO Statement: PermiaCare is committed to hiring andretaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer,making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin,sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteranstatus, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state orfederal law.

This job description is notdesigned to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities orresponsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, activities and responsibilities maychange or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This jobdescription does not constitute an employment contract with PermiaCare. Employment is at-will.

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