AMHR Residential- Peer Support Specialist presso undefined

Summary of Job Functions: 

In accordance with The Arc of Anchorage's mission, vision, and core values, the Peer Support Specialist is responsible for working with individuals in a mental health residential treatment setting while using their own lived experience to work as a role model while supporting the day-to-day delivery of services to individuals in accordance with each individual’s identified goals. A PSS will mentor, educate, and spread the message of co-occurring recovery to individuals who are new in their recovery journeys. A PSS will provide emotional and social support to AMHR individuals and model healthy, supportive relationships that encourage living a life in recovery. 

The Peer Support Specialist is accountable to the person receiving support, their team, and the agency.  

Essential Job Functions: 

• Assist the individual in building social, cognitive, daily living, employment, and self-management skills
• Educate and train the individual on behavioral health topics related to the individual's treatment and co-occurring recovery
• Ability to maintain a collaborative and cooperative work environment and to work with minimum of supervision
• Assist the individual in accessing necessary treatment and social support services
• Assist the individual in participating in traditional healing or spiritual activities
• Assist, advocate, and coordinate individuals with community-based social, educational, vocational, legal, and financial resources
• Monitor the safety and stability of the individual and connect the individual with crisis intervention services
• Facilitate groups focusing on skill building, self-regulation, conflict resolution, Etc.
• Assist in coordinating individual off-site logistics (Appointments, Transportation)
• Assist the individual in engaging in social relationships and natural community-based supports that enhance the individual's quality of life
• Assist the individual resolve conflicts and mediate solutions to problems with treatment providers, social support agencies, or natural community-based supports
• Inform the appropriate staff of any odd behavior, conflict, or deviations from the individual’s treatment goals
• Contribute to service planning
• Develops and maintains relationships with Individuals while maintaining healthy and professional boundaries
• Assist individuals with developing healthy coping mechanisms, and rehabilitation tactics 
• Maintains internal program statistics, referrals data, and follow-up records; enters data into Therap, AKAIMS, and other databases; perform electronic transmissions and produce related reports
• Attend staff meetings and complete required training. 
• Adheres to policy, procedures, and regulations set forth by regulating authorities such as and is not limited to local, state, federal, CARF, Medicaid, and The Arc of Anchorage
• Perform other related duties as assigned for the needs of the program.

Education and Experience: 

• High School Diploma and/or GED. One (1) year experience working with or having direct life experience with individuals who experience mental illness.
• Actively working a support program that meets their recovery needs.
• Ability to obtain peer certification within 6 months of hire
• Preferred, associate degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field and/or three (3) years' experience working with or having direct life experience with people who experience mental illness.
• Basic computer use and experience with Microsoft Office. 

Required Licenses, Clearances & Trainings:  

• Background checks as defined by licensing agencies
• Current TB test/clearance
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance 
• Clean driving record 
• Pass all mandatory agency training (i.e., CPR, Mandt, Programs)
• Completed all departmental training

Equipment Use:

• Personal Vehicle

• Routine use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and other office-related devices.  

Working Conditions: 

• Required to drive in the community with individuals served
• Required to perform duties in the community 

Physical Demands:  

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods
• Standing and moving for extended periods

• Ability to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are more than those for light work  

• Communication skills using the English spoken word
• Ability to see within normal parameters
• Ability to hear within normal range

                                                                     The Arc of Anchorage is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer