Peer Support Specialist

Description WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE BEHAV I ORAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CLASSIFICATION CODE: EXEMPT FULL TIME DEPARTMENT: CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND FAMILY SERVICES REPORTS TO: CHILD, ADOLECENT AND FAMILY SERVICES  PROGRAM MANAGER STATEMENT OF JOB : This Position draws u pon personal growth experience to model recovery to individuals to individuals enrolled or eligible to be enrolled with White Mountain Apache Behavioral Health Services Tri bal Regional Behavioral Health Authority . By offering outreach, encouragement and su pport, the Peer Support Specialist cultivates and secures a connection with the enrolled individual, while teaching personal responsibility and serving as a mentor and role model. As part of their job duties, the Peer Support Specialist may be asked to pro vide direct services to individuals such as outreach and engagement, linkage to community supports, transportation, and group facilitation acting in collaboration with assi gned clinical team . Driving is an essential function of this position. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with clients /potential clients who would benefit from behavioral health services.
• Provides support s ervices assistance to ABHS clinical staff as indicated on treatment plan , including, but not limited to, transportation, community visits, ap pointment setting/coordination, outreach services for clients having difficulty accessing services, and/or for reen gagement in treatment services .
• Adheres to ABHS vehicle policies and maintains appr opriate vehicle utilization records.
• Documents contact with clients to assess needs, maintain required pape r work, and engage family members in accordance with Ariz ona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and ABHS Standards.
• Provides prevention ed ucation services including presentations, workshops, and other forms public education on a variety of mental health topics, including , but not limited to, substance abuse treatment education and life skills instruction.
• Assists clients with all needs, incl uding activities of daily living (ADLs), obtaining appropriate benefits, link to needed appointments, explain legal status and rights, and foster independence.
• Abid e by all applicable policies, procedures, and program standards of ABHS, White Mountain Apac he Tribe, Indian Health Services, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and other pertinent regulatory authorities.
• Ability to address a variety of diverse   spiritual, emotional, and social needs in multiple environments of an often-high-ris k population, using a trauma-informed care approach while maintaining a high   degree of professionalism and cultural awareness.
• Collaborates with court/probation, tr ibal/community agencies, families, and other natural support systems to ensure client’s need s are met. Develops a strong working relationship with community partners .
• Provides services at the clinic, in the community, adult shelters, residential facilities, hospital settings and in client’s homes to ensure client obtains all benefits and services necessary.
• Participates in interdepartmental clinical team meetings to assist and encourage consistent and timely provision of services. Participates in weekly cli nical staffing with other members of the clinical team to review client progress and servic e requirements.
• Ability to provide client walk-in services in the office as related to the clinical service needs of clients .
• Maintain ethical policies and guideline s as outlined in accepted State ethics laws, rules, policies, and principles and as outline d in discipline-specific code of ethics.
• Provide a positive role model to clients and staff through leadership, self-discipline, and genuine care for the treatment a nd recovery of clients. All clients and staff members must be treated with dignity and res pect.
• Participation in all required ABHS training.
• Reports/attends work in timely manner. Must be reliable and communicate directly with supervisor in all matters of attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• P ossession of a high school diploma or equivalent ; personal experiences in mental health/human serv ices or related field preferred; e xperience working with Native Amer icans preferred.
• State Peer Certification.
• Effective written and oral communication skills ; ability to speak the Apache l anguage preferred .
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving and organizational and time management skills with ability to work independently, with flexibility within prescribed deadlines .
• I nterpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, teams, managers, supervisors.
• MS Office familiarity and ability to correctly operate copy machine and fax.
• V a lid Arizona Driver’s License and reliable transportation .
• Ability to pass all pre-employme nt testing , including, but not limited to, fingerprint clearance , drug testing and background check. **NOTE: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified In dian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473). ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform th e essential functions of t he job . Constant: standing. Frequent: repetitive use of hand, walking, standing, bending neck and waist, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting neck and waist, simple grasping of left and right hand, power grasping right and le ft hand, fine manipulation right and left hand, pushing and pulling right and left hand, r eaching above shoulder level, reaching below shoulder level, lifting objects weighing up to 2 5 pounds from below the waist to a height of 3 feet .