Purpose of Position:
Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model.
Examples of Typical Tasks:
At a more difficult and responsible level, performs the duties of Assignment Level I:
1. Assists the consumer with activities of daily living (e.g., setting-up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting and other skills relevant to an individual’s rehabilitation goals). May make home visits.
2. Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, dual diagnoses issues, relapse and recovery and socialization.
3. Assists the consumer in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
4. Provides supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, breast-feeding education and other self-help opportunities.
5. Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment and human services team in determining and implementing a comprehensive plan of care.
6. Clarifies issues for the consumer and assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing and supportive services. Follows-up to determine whether services were provided and used.
7. Assists the consumer in completing applications and paper work for public entitlements and may accompany consumer on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.
8. Acts as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
9. Facilitates the establishment of peer support networks, natural and social support systems.
10. Maintains current, complete and appropriate documentation in the consumer record, prepares required forms, and may be required to use computer systems in carrying out these functions. Documents in Electronic Health Record (EHR) and writes progress notes for review.
At a more difficult and responsible level, also performs the duties of Assignment Level II:
1. Acts as preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level I.
2. Provides education training on recipient issues to mental health and other human services providers.
3. Advocates for the needs of people with psychiatric disabilities within the mental health system and within service delivery systems.
4. Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.
In addition to performing the duties of Assignment Levels I and II at a more difficult and responsible level, as described above, performs the following tasks:
1. Supervises and instructs Peer Counselors in Assignments Levels I and II, volunteers, interns/students and other related auxiliary staff.
2. Coordinates and reviews the work of subordinate staff, providing direction and corrective measures to ensure the achievement of departmental goals.
3. Provides consultation for difficult cases requiring a higher level of knowledge and expertise.
4. Initiates and participates in special studies and research projects.
5. Represents the department at conferences, workshops, in-house service, health care setting or community functions and reports actions and findings to the department.
