Apply on Employer Site

AWARE Inc. · 1 month ago

Residential Peer Support Specialist - Adult Behavioral Health (Kalispell, MT)

Kalispell, MT

Full-time

Onsite

Entry Level

$19.75/hr - $21.92/hr

2+ years exp

AWARE Inc. is dedicated to providing high-quality care to individuals in the community, and they are seeking a Residential Peer Support Specialist to join their team. In this role, the specialist will support individuals in personal growth, assist with crisis intervention, and advocate for clients while fostering a culture of care within the organization.

Non ProfitSocialSocial Assistance

Responsibilities

Identifies individual needs through in-person contact with individuals, families, guardians, and significant others

Records notes, billing, assessments, referrals, and other data entry assignments via AWARE’s Electronic Healthcare Record System and ICP requirement, Therapy Program, Plan of Care - - being sensitive to age, gender, disability, sexual orientation/identity, racial, bi-sexual, transgendered, and ethnic differences of individual served

Must demonstrate – on a consistent basis – the willingness and ability to productively utilize work time in order to meet the needs of the individuals being served as directed, with the understanding that specific fiscal goals (billing, case load number maintenance, weekly) must be met on a monthly basis

Recognizes and utilizes AWARE’s Core Values, Unconditional Care Philosophy, and wrap around philosophy focused on family engagement

Assists individuals in Individual Support Planning process and identification of unmet needs

Participates in crisis intervention services with individuals

Positively influencing the team culture by advocating for clients, promoting a friendly approach and encouraging the use of recovery-oriented language. AWARE Peer Specialists also work actively within the team itself to help build an environment that operates from a belief in the human potential to grow and an understanding of human diversity

Support residents in strengthening their self-awareness, building life skills, and connecting to resources and community outside of the AWARE team

Advocate with and for residents both in the larger community and on the team

Understand, share and discuss multiple frameworks for understanding life experiences such as psychosis with participants and the rest of the AWARE team. Peer Specialists intentionally use language in the service of listening to understand and making space for complex personal stories of recovery and resilience

Develop authentic, meaningful relationships with individuals and families through empathy, sharing experiences, listening and collaborating with genuine curiosity and interest

Help to facilitate engagement with AWARE teams by forging strong connections with residents and families, undertaking outreach activities designed to promote community awareness of AWARE services, encouraging help seeking, and at times serving as a bridge between team members and participants when they experience ambivalence about treatment

Upon hiring, the Peer Support Specialist will undergo training and will be expected to pass testing in the following areas: H.E.L.P (de- escalation and therapeutic holds), Medication Certification, First Aid/CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens, Client/Employee Health and Safety, and Behavior Intervention Skills

Maintain the Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist (CBHPSS) certification as required by the Board of Behavioral Health

Qualification

Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support SpecialistCrisis interventionEmpathyInterpersonal communicationMental health advocacyCommunity resource awarenessRecovery story disclosurePeer support experience

Required

The Peer Specialist should demonstrate good interpersonal communications skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to and effectively work with participants of mental health services

The individual should have two years of active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs, or participant run organizations or similar experiences or programs

They must possess the ability/ willingness to disclose their recovery story (where appropriate) for the purposes of empowerment

High School diploma or equivalent required

Must have, or be willing to obtain, a valid Montana Driver's License

Must have an acceptable driving record and pass a criminal background check

Preferred

It is preferable that the individual's lived experience of mental health challenges includes experience with psychosis during his or her youth

Ideally the Peer Specialist is a young adult; however, a Peer Specialist of any age may be considered for the position, if he or she relates well to young people

As much as possible, the Peer Specialist should understand the community in which the team is based with an awareness of available community resources