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GULF COAST CENTER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Certified Peer Specialist 

Location: Brazoria County

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Status: Part-Time no Benefits

Summary:

Will provide peer support services to clients with substance use disorders in the Mental Health and/or Substance Use programs.  The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) provides peer support services; serves as a consumer advocate; provides consumer information and peer support for consumers in a variety of settings. The CPS performs a wide range of tasks to support consumers in living their own lives and directing their own recovery and wellness process. The CPS will model competency in recovery and wellness. The CPS will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for clients in outpatient setting. Will assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Recovery resources such as booklets, tapes, pamphlets and other written materials will be utilized by the CPS in the provision of services. 

Gulf Coast Center operates under a trauma-informed approach based on the six key principles of Safety, Trustworthiness & Transparency, Peer Support, Collaboration & Mutuality, Empowerment & Choice, and Cultural, Historical & Gender issues.

Job Duties: (To be performed with or without accommodation as based on ADA requirements)

The Certified Peer Specialist  will be responsible for the following:

Essential Job Duties:

• Facilitate weekly peer support groups to promote the importance of recovery support systems within the community and as part of the treatment program.
• Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery by supporting clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.
• Engage with community partners and attend meetings and events with Drug Court, or additional probation or additional community referral sources
• Assists clients in formulating a Wellness Plan that identifies the eight dimensions of wellness: spiritual, emotional, physical, occupational, financial, environmental, intellectual, and social that can assist the client in achieving their recovery goals.
• Coordinating transportation and pick up/drop off of residentail contractors and transporting clients safely to residential and outpatient providers for scheduled appointments and admissions.
• Assisting with follow up phone calls with the OSAR counselors and additional staff to ensure that clients have been able to receive appropriate services from designated referrals.
• Provide support to the clients within the outpatient setting, identifying needs and meeting with clients as scheduled.
• Facilitate peer support groups as scheduled utilizing resources from Peer Recovery Coach training and identifying ways to support clients. 
• Will be responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the agency compliance policy and will require communication with various departments to foster, develop and continue our community partnerships as it relates to the position.
• Treat all individuals with the utmost courtesy, decency and respect.
• Provide responsive, and efficient services.
• Interact with staff, consumers, local entities and advocacy groups to provide a service that meets local needs.
• Provide highest level of Customer Service for both internal and external customers.
• Required to report personnel leave; flex time and emergency leave to assigned supervisor.
• Strict adherence to the professional, ethical, and legal requirements set forth in GCC's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.
• Consistent adherence to the Center's Dress Code.
• Consistent adherence to Center safety guidelines and expectations.
• May be required to travel within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
• Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
• Must maintain a clear driving record and driver's license in accordance with our Driver Policy.
• Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation and must maintain current auto liability insurance.

Non-Essential Job Duties:

• N/A

Supervision:

• Receives direct supervision from Program Manager-Recovery

Required Education:

• High School or GED completion

Preferred Education/Licensure/Certifications:

• Certified Peer Specialist certification

Required Licensure/Certifications:

• Certified Peer Support Specialist - If candidate does not hold a current CPS credential they may still be considered for employment provisionally, provided they earn their CPS within one year of hire for the position.

Required Experience:

• Must have at least 2 years of personal recovery.
• Must have experience in personal recovery from substance abuse disorders for a minimum of 2 years.
• Experience in the use of coaching skills associated with Motivational Interviewing.
• Experiencing with identifying and providing resources and referrals.
• Working knowledge of client/community resources and experience in developing relationships with same.
• Knowledgeable of the natural diverse populations and cultural backgrounds, including difference approaches to recovery.

Preferred Experience:

• Preferred experience with electronic records system(s)

Abilities/Traits:

• General knowledge of substance use and mental illness; 
• Demonstrate knowledge of substance use and treatment procedures
• Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery;
• Must be able to work independently and organize work effectively using time management tools; 
• Possess knowledge of local community resources and network with agencies to ensure appropriate referrals as needed for client continuity of care.
• Preferred but not required: experience with electronic records system(s);
• Must be able to be non-judgmental of clients, develop productive relationships with the diverse client population; and have good interpersonal communication and teaching skills with the diverse client population;
• Must be able to make sound decisions within the parameters of the scope of practice as a peer recovery coach.
• Facilitate weekly peer support groups to promote the importance of recovery support systems within the community and as part of the treatment program.
• Engage with community partners and attend meetings and events with Drug Court, or additional probation or additional community referral sources
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Requires ability to work within a team approach.
• Requires proficiency with computer skills, programs and email.

Working Conditions:

• Work will be performed in the Office, Field and/or Remotely setting(s).
• May require varied work hours depending on need of clients.
• Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
• May require travel to various locations within Brazoria and Galveston Counties. Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation safe and current with all state requirements, and liability insurance.

Special Projects:

• Assist supervisor when requested to complete special projects and complete all assignments within a time frame negotiated with the supervisor. Completion of other duties as assigned by supervisor as it relates to the program and position.

Job Related Physical/Mental Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

Physical:

• Ability to transport, adjust and/or move items up to 55 lbs.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Ability to handle objects.
• Ability to operate office equipment.
• Ability to move around within an office setting and/or other locations as needed; may include ability to bend/twist, kneel/stoop and/or reach for items.
• Ability to push/pull, crawl/squat as it relates to PMAB requirements; may be required to perform PMAB restraints as it relates to program requirements.
• Ability to detect and write effectively.
• Ability to hear (with or without aid).
• Ability to have visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and observe objects within work setting.

Mental:

• Ability to accept constructive criticism.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance.
• Ability to understand, communicate and comprehend accurate information with others in English.
• Ability to reason and analyze effectively.
• Ability to solve practical problems as it relates to position.
• Required to pass and maintain all Center mandated trainings.

Work Site/Environmental Conditions:

• Ability to work alone.
• Ability to work closely with others.
• Ability to work closely with clients and/or family members with poor hygiene. Ability to work long and/or irregular hours.
• May be subjected to hostile environment.
• May be subjected to high crime environment.
• Potential exposure to tobacco products.
• May be subjected to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Subject to standard noise levels within working environment.
• Travel by motor vehicle, van, bus or plane may be required.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodations as based on ADA requirements.