Peer Support Specialist / multiple locations available

Company: Polara Health
Location: Prescott Valley
Posted on: November 21, 2022

Job Description:

Full-time position (40 hours weekly). We Value Our Employees By Offering:Medical, Dental, Life, and Health Care Benefits (FT)Up to 3 weeks of paid/sick time off plus 10 Holidays per year (FT) Polara Health, Serving on the front-lines of mental health treatment in Yavapai County since 1966, Polara Health (formerly West Yavapai Guidance Clinic) is uniquely positioned to improve access for people in need of high quality and affordable holistic care. We are a beacon of hope, help and healing for over 7,000 individual and families and 1,300 children annually. Focused on addressing the whole person through a client centered approach, we offer holistic, transformative services that are tailored to address the unique needs of each client, address the social determinants of health and ensure coordination of care with loved ones and other integrated service providers. Position Summary (Purpose and Scope)The Peer Support Specialist is an active member of the Peer Program and provides peer support services to clients in need of behavioral health services. Under supervision of the Peer Support Manager. The Peer Support Specialist will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for clients in outpatient and inpatient settings. The PSS performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages, from young adult to old age, in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Essential Duties / Responsibilities: Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions. During these sessions the PSS will support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goalsAssist clients in working with their case manager or treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery.Assist clients in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.Independently or with periodic assistance of higher graded treatment team members, utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups; discussions will be utilized where clients will share common problems in daily living and methods they have employed to manage and cope with these problems. As one who has availed themselves to mental health services, the PS will share their own experiences and what skills, strengths, supports and resources they use. As much as possible, the PS will share their own recovery story and as the facilitator of these sessions, will demonstrate how they have directed their own recovery.Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and PS to share their experiences. By using Adapted from Peer Support Technician VACO Classified (Veteran's Administration) 2 identified literature, media, etc. clients will gain hope, learn to identify their strengths and combat negative self-talk.Support clients' vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips.Assist clients in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenureAssist clients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy. This will be accomplished through regular meetings, individual or group sessions. Through the use of role playing/modeling techniques the PSS provides opportunities for others to show/demonstrate how they have handled similar problems, how to present themselves in certain situations, or how to handle problems that may arise in interactions with others.Documentation and reporting to referral sources, both external and internal.Performs other duties as assigned.Qualifications(Education, Credentials, Experience and Age- and/or Disability-Specific Populations) - High School Diploma/GED required. - Peer Support Certification required. - Is, or has been a recipient of behavioral health services and has an experience of recovery to share - Graduation from mental health court preferred This position is considered Safety-Sensitive by Polara health. EOE/Non-smoking facility. Pre-employment drug screening/background check required. ** All candidates must be able to obtain a DPS Fingerprint Clearance card. You may email additional questions about employment to hr@polarahealth.com It is the policy of Polara Health not to discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status or national origin. This policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment and employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, selection for training including apprenticeship, layoff and termination. PH further agrees to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities.

Keywords: Polara Health, Prescott Valley , Peer Support Specialist / multiple locations available, Other , Prescott Valley, Arizona