Responsibilities
Primary Job Function and Responsibilities:
- Promoting self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction; assisting individuals in identifying strengths; wellness goals; setting objectives, and identifying barriers;
- Attending treatment team meetings with the individual to promote the individual's use of self-directed advocacy tools; assisting the individual in goal planning, assisting the individual in learning how to ask for appropriate services in the community;
- Assisting individuals in obtaining information about their benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, etc.).
- Engaging individuals in outpatient programs and services to encourage recovery;
- Modeling self-advocacy skills;
- Teaching wellness management strategies and helping individuals develop their own self-management plans/tools to use in their personal lives; using manualized strategies such as IMR/WMR, WRAP, and others;
- Connecting to support groups in the community to learn from other peers, to promote hope, to problem-solve through work situations, and to decrease social isolation;
- Providing education to other staff to increase their understanding of self-advocacy and peer support roles, and to promote a culture in which an individuals’ points of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into service delivery;
- Providing resources and teaching transportation skills (teaching bus routes, etc.);
- Sharing his or her own personal story to model how to choose, obtain, and maintain stability;
- Supporting individuals in making informed decisions about treatment, housing, benefits, and building community connections;
- Supporting the individuals in developing crisis plans and safety plans;
- Building social skills in the community that will enhance recovery;
- Assisting in overcoming barriers to recovery and addressing challenges;
- Assisting in obtaining the proper documentation necessary for benefits, employment, and housing;
- Assisting the individual in completing paperwork;
- Exploring aspirations with the individual;
- Leading recovery support groups and NA/AA meetings with the job seeker if appropriate
Supervision and Consultation:
- Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
- Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
Record Keeping:
- Maintains confidential files containing required information
- Maintains documentation for those individuals receiving services
- Provides timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including, Medicaid, and others.
Courteous and respectful towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:
- Treats consumers with care, dignity, and compassion
- Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
- Is pleasant and cooperative with others
- Assists consumers and visitors as needed
- Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
- Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences
- Is gentle and calm with consumers and families
Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:
- Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
- Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
- Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
- Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures.
- Attends to required in-service training and other workshops.
Qualifications
High school diploma or its equivalent; must be a current or former recipient of mental health services for no less than one (1) year; ability to identify as a consumer of mental health services and speak openly regarding personal diagnosis and treatment; a valid, verifiable driver’s license, a good driving record, reliable transportation and verifiable vehicle liability insurance; ability to attend out-of-town Peer Specialist training for certification; demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Alabama public mental health system; knowledge of adult specific competencies, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:
- Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
- Knowledge of cultural diversity
- Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practices.
- Knowledge of Psychiatric Rehabilitation principles
- Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders
