Peer Support Worker

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The peer support worker serves as a member of the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Team. Peer Support Workers are those who provide peer delivered services to an individual or family member with similar life experience, under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Supervisor. The peer wellness worker is a peer support worker who seek to expand the role from services focused on behavioral health and addictions recovery to include physical health promotion, and disease prevention and intervention activities for individuals and their families who experience mental health and substance abuse challenges. Peer wellness workers receive training focused specifically reduction the levels of co-morbidity and shortened lifespan that are endemic among persons with behavioral health issues, and be active participants on primary care health teams. A Peer Support Worker must complete an Addictions and Mental Health-approved training program and be:

• A self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; or
• A self-identified person in recovery from a substance use disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for recovering staff in alcohol and other drug treatment programs; or
• A family member of an individual who is current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.

The Peer Support Worker is responsible for documentation of any significant incident and will maintain confidentiality for all information regarding clients, staff, physicians, and GCLC obtained as a result of employment at GCLC. All other duties as assigned by the project director and/or clinical director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be at least 21 years old. Bachelor's Degree in a human service field from an accredited university or Associate's degree and a minimum of one (1) years of experience working with the target population; or High School graduate of General Educational Development (GED) test and a minimum of two (2) years of experience working with the target population. Minimum staff training requirements include twenty (20) hours of documented training and/or continuing education within the first 90 days of employment and must maintain twenty (20) hours of continuing education annually. Must obtain CPR and Basic Life Saving Techniques. Must be able to perform medium to heavy duty activities (i.e. physically able to perform Crisis Prevention Intervention [CPI] techniques which may require physically controlling the residents). Must have the ability to assess and utilize community resources. Must pass FBI fingerprint clearance check to maintain employment. Must pass and maintain a Driving Record clearance in accordance with GCLC policies and procedures. Preference given to qualified bilingual (Spanish/English) candidates.

CONDITIONS OF WORK:

Hiring and promotion will be accomplished in compliance with Guidance Center's Personnel Policies and Procedures. This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Requires a minimum 40 hours per week. Hours and/or days may vary according to need. Overtime (time and 1/2) will be paid for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Overtime must be approved by the Clinical Director of PIPBHC Program or outpatient services Clinical Director. Travel is required of employee for fulfillment of duties.