Job Overview
Peer Recovery/Support Specialist will be a supportive staff person for the “Wings of Migizi” Program, service providers, Judicial System, and the St. Croix Tribal Communities. Peer Recovery/Support Specialist will work closely with the Program Manager by assisting clients throughout their process in recovery. Working with families and friends, building morale for the communities, and helping with sober events for youth, elders, and families.
Essential Functions:
- Provides opportunities and assist linkage to social supports structures for clients receiving services to direct their own recovery process
- Support and teach recovery principles using various recovery methods, tactics, tools and theories to best serve program clients
- Act as an advocate for those in any or all stages of recovery
- Connect clients with a range of resources that support recovery. These may include outpatient therapy, medication-assisted treatment, vocational rehabilitation, housing, residential treatment, transitional sober living, education, medical, and other resource
- Coach and promote sobriety, recovery and healthy living through evidence-based and culturally appropriate efforts
- Participate in outreach events that support recovery within the community. This may include planning, organizing, and hosting events
- Support individuals with navigating the mental health services system and exploring alternatives available in the peer and general community at large
- Encourages peers to become self-directed, focus on their strengths, exercise use of natural supports, develop their own recovery goals, and strengthen valued roles within the community
Peer Support Specialist Job Duties:
- Maintain confidentiality of client treatment information, as required by HIPAA, State of Wisconsin, and Federal Regulations as related to health, mental health, and substance treatment use issues.
- Promote sobriety (recovery) and healthy living through work activities as well as personal example / sustained personal recovery lifestyle.
- Set and maintain healthy boundaries with clients. Certified Peer Specialists must adhere the Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethics.
- Document client contacts and progress toward goals in the electronic health care record in a timely manner
- Work with clients to discuss their goals and options to create an individualized recovery support plans that works for clients
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive client records while tracking and compiling data for grant and compliance reports
- Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as probation agents, drug courts, medical providers, and behavioral health providers.
- Locate barriers to client success in recovery, employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, transportation problems, and work with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
- Collaborate with mental health/substance use treatment professionals and other recovery team members to help clients with substance abuse and mental health disorders.
- Obtain client signatures on written releases of information to make collaboration efforts possible.
- Track and complete all training/continuing education requirements to apply for and/or maintain Wisconsin Peer Specialist Certification requirements on time
- Represent the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and the St. Croix Tribal Health and Human Services in a professional manner across the various state, local and other interpersonal agencies
- Submit monthly report to Program Manager/Human Services Manager
- Responsible for reporting Adverse Incidents
- Other duties assigned by supervisor
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalency and peer support training
- Obtain Wisconsin State Certified Peer Specialist certificate within one year of hire.
- At least one year of sustained recovery lifestyle/sobriety
- Must demonstrate ability to assess a client’s needs and formulate an individualized plan of action. Able to identify potential issues and proactively contain and manage challenges.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality and follow regulations relating to client privacy, including HIPAA. Must be able to apply Peer Specialist Code of Ethics.
- Requires basic to intermediate level computer skills for documentation and ability to access information in meaningful ways.
- Requires sound judgment, skill in conflict resolution and the capacity to respond to unusual circumstances and emergencies.
- Must work collaboratively as a part of a recovery team with the client as well as health care providers, psychotherapists / substance use counselors, probation agents, vocational rehabilitation specialists and other helpers.
- Requires effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills. You will need to know how to listen to and discuss sensitive issues with clients and their families.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, valid vehicle insurance and good driving record.
- Must be able to pass background check.
- Must be able to pass pre-employment and random drug testing.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Peer Specialist certificate
- At least one or more years of sustained recovery lifestyle/sobriety
- Knowledge and experience with dual diagnosed clients and family/community systems of care is very helpful.
Applicants for employment for this position must submit with the completed application form additional documents including the following:
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation. At least one should be a reference validating the stated one year of sobriety.
Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
