Peer Support Specialist - NCSH

HealthRIGHT 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing comprehensive, integrated, compassionate care that includes primary medical care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.

Job Overview
 
This is a union position.

North County Serenity House, A Program of HealthRIGHT 360 was founded in 1966 to provide substance use disorder services in the community. North County Serenity House provides a gender-responsive and trauma-informed environment, using evidence-based and best practices that recognize and account for the role that trauma frequently plays in substance use and criminal histories of women. For clients with co-occurring mental illness, we provide integrated substance use and mental health services which treat both conditions as primary. Our residential facility serves up to 120 women (with capacity for up to 20 children under 5 years of age) seeking recovery from substance use disorders.  

The Peer Support Specialist will have experience or personal knowledge of behavioral health issues and services. The Peer Support Specialist provides culturally competent and trauma informed services that promote recovery, engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. The Peer Support Specialist will be responsible for providing relapse prevention services, coaching, supporting links to community resources, or education to help participants achieve their goals. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provides support by drawing on own experiences and professional skills to build a trusting relationship with participants and serves as a mentor and role-model to participants.
• Provides consultation to treatment team members from a professional perspective support professional effectiveness and empower and advocate for participant needs and participates in treatment planning.
• Research and share information about community resources that will assist participants both during and after treatment.
• Maintains confidentiality of all participants.
• Demonstrates excellent listening and communication skills and a supportive attitude towards participants and treatment team members.
• Work in collaboration with treatment team members to identify other services needed that may include, but are not limited to assistance with housing, benefits, education, employment, transportation, childcare, and medical needs.
• Assist treatment team members and participants in developing independent living skills to promote independence and self-sufficiency.
• The Peer Support Specialist will maintain North County Serenity House (NCSH), a program of HealthRIGHT 360 and San Diego County documentation standards.
• Performs crisis intervention and communicates with treatment team as unforeseen situations arise.
• Documents participant updates and incidents.
• Performs periodic walkthroughs to ensure and maintain the safety and security of the facility.
• As needed, accompanies participants to offsite appointments related to their treatment.
• Attends required trainings and meetings.
• Collaborates with each caseload participant and other available internal and external resources to develop/maintain treatment plans, transition plans, progress notes and appropriate updates in support of the health and recovery needs of the participant.
• Maintain documentation in compliance with agency, HIPAA, 42CFR, and funder/County and CalAIM standards and properly documents all services provided.
• Completes required agency assessments in timely manner.
• Ensure that all clinical documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner and entered in the various electronic systems.

Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
 
Education Required:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Peer Specialist Certification.
• CPR and First Aid Certified within 30 days of employment.
• A valid California driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Desired:

• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Background Clearance Required:

• Must not be on active parole or probation.
• Training: Required: State approved certification program (CalMHSA).
• Can be obtained after employment.

Knowledge Required:

• Candidate must be a current or former recipient of mental health and/or substance use services or an immediate family member of someone who was a recipient of mental health and/or substance use services.
• If candidate or immediate family member received treatment from any of the HealthRIGHT 360 family of programs, he or she must be at least 12 months into their recovery and receive any on-going treatment from an outside agency .
• Demonstrate some knowledge of mental health, substance abuse prevention, and supplemental community resources.
• Must have knowledge and experience of co-occurring disorders.
• Maintain a level of progression toward self-sufficiency.
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively, motivate, and assist participants.

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Professionalism, punctuality, flexibility, and reliability.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Able to advocate for consumers and/or be a mentor; comfortable sharing his/her own experiences, in appropriate ways, for the benefit of assisting others.
• Ability to multi-task, handle crises and maintain flexibility.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
• Action oriented.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to distinguish between therapeutic and social relationships and able to maintain clear boundaries.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of interdisciplinary team and independently assume responsibility.
• Strong initiative and enthusiasm and willingness to pitch in whenever needed.
• Able to communicate well at all levels of the organization including working with organization leadership and high-level representatives of partner organizations.
• Able to work within a frequently changing project scope while maintaining overall direction and structured priorities.

Desired: 

• Knowledge of gender-responsive and trauma informed treatment.
• Experience working with criminal justice population.
  

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

In compliance with the California Department of Public Health's mandate, all employees must be able to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Medical and religious exemptions are available.