Job Number: 335

Location: Midland

Supervises: N

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Division: MH

Salary: $18.42 per hour. Sign on bonus may be available.

Shift: M-F 8am - 5pm; Assigned work 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 services under the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model which offers a more comprehensive, holistic, and integrated model of treatment. Mental Health Peer support services are services designed and delivered by individuals who have experienced a mental challenge and are in recovery or family members of those who have experienced a mental health challenge and are in recovery. Peer support services foster hope and promote a belief in the possibility of recovery. The Mental Health Peer Specialist assists individuals with mental illness throughout the recovery process, helps individuals gain skills to promote recovery, helps individuals access resources, and helps individuals regain confidence to succeed in society. Mental Health Peer Specialists will work closely with other staff to help individuals navigate services entry, close gaps in services, provide transportation, and to access resources in the community. By providing assistance in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner, this position helps individuals to better understand their own situations and develop coping mechanisms to make positive change.

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

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: High School Diploma or GED

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

Registration, Certification, Licensure or other Qualifications Required:

• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to PermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal history and background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Must obtain Mental Health Peer Specialist certification within 6 months.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct support services to clients as directed by supervisor including help patients navigate PermiaCare and other systems within the community, use evidence-based models to enhance the delivery of peer support services, transport individuals, assist with understanding and communicating with medical personnel.
• Provide holistic care across the health spectrum by addressing all needs identified by client.
• Provide indirect support services to clients as directed by supervisor.
• Encourage and/or include participation of family members and others important to the client, subject to privacy and confidentiality requirements and client's consent.
• Provide individual and group peer support services to consumers with severe and persistent mental illness (if applicable.)
• Participate in Advisory Committees as assigned.
• Be supportive of client and encourage them to utilize choice and voice in their treatment and recovery goals.
• Facilitate the development of a sense of wellness and self-worth in clients.
• Provide emotional support and encouragement to peers who are struggling.
• Listen to peers and offer advice or resources to help them cope with difficult situations.
• Assist peers in identifying and accessing available resources in the community.
• Advocate for the rights of peers and ensure their safety.
• Document peer interactions, conversations and progress.
• Education peers on topics such as mental health, substance use and self-care.
• Meet unit performance measures or targets.
• Maintain assigned caseload of individuals with mental illness.
• Coordinate services to designated caseload.
• Enter accurate and appropriate documentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, and established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable physical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness are required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors, co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectful behavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in a timely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phone messages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions and interactions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism when representing PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and current driver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assigned prior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposes of ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other Peer Support Specialists as needed.
• Apply knowledge of the Medicaid covered services for this position, the proper application of these services, and the codes used to describe these services.
• Progress notes clearly show progress or lack of progress in accordance with current provider agreement. (Meeting Minimum Requirements of Current Internal Provider Agreement).
• Engage in direct work with clients and in indirect work that supports their work with clients. Direct work includes advocacy, connecting to resources, experiential sharing, building community, relationship building, group facilitation, skill building/mentoring/goal setting, and socialization/self-esteem building.
• Complete required documentation within timeframe assigned.
• Provide translation, if applicable.
• Participate in team meeting or staffings.
• Participate in community activities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of mental illness, treatment and systems of care.
• Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicaid covered services and the proper application of these services.
• Ability to provide support to individuals in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to protect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informed theories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability to different work environments.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with various inter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB and CPR/First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort in interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/or company vehicle. This position may require travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and/or locations outside the PermiaCare catchment area. This position may require transport of agency individuals 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 travel after hours and overnight.

WORKSITE CONDITIONS:

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

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

EEO Statement: PermiaCare is committed to hiring and retaining 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, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

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

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