Job Description Summary:   Minimum starting salary $17.00 / hour

The ACT TAY Peer Support Specialist works to increase client participation in their treatment and accessing of peer-oriented support systems.  Peer support services are defined as face-to-face interventions in the client’s natural environment, or group environment, which focus on recovery and rehabilitation.  Peer support specialists promote skills for coping with and managing symptoms of mental health diagnoses while encouraging the use of natural resources and enhancing community living. They serve as a model, support, and resource for the team members and those being served.  Peer Support Specialists work as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team in developing and implementing treatment plan goals.  Peer Support Specialists take the lead role on the treatment team in assisting clients to develop Wellness Recovery Action Plans.  Peer Support Specialists are a unique member of the treatment team in that they share their personal experiences in recovery relative to mental health diagnoses. They will provide services to individuals impacted by a variety of behavioral health (addiction/substance abuse and mental health) issues, recognizing that the individuals we serve often times have experienced trauma that affects their development and adjustment. They will demonstrate a warm and welcoming, empathic, hopeful attitude, while conveying a philosophy of dual recovery.  They will be trained in trauma-informed care and will work to help provide services in an environment that is sensitive and responsive, which will prevent victimization, abuse, or trauma as a result of the care received. 

Education: 

• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of state approved training program. 

Work Experiences:  

• Working with individuals experiencing symptoms of mental health diagnoses and/or substance use. 

Responsibilities: 

• Remains alert during working hours; works as scheduled, complying with attendance policies. Consider deleting. Per the training for supervision of peers, peers are supposed to be treated in the same way as other staff, and this is typically not included in the job duties of other staff. 
• Completes face to face personal interviews with clients both in individual and group settings to assist in self-determination in the treatment process, including developing personal and individualized treatment goals and Wellness Recovery Action Plans. 
• Assists the client in creating personal support systems including family members, legal guardians, community agencies, other treatment team members, and/or other individuals involved in the client’s life the client considers important.  
• Provides and/or arranges transportation for clients as deemed clinically necessary and to ensure that the client has access to meet basic life needs and healthcare needs. 
• Promotes recovery by being able to verbally share lived experiences relative to personal recovery. 
• Provides advocacy on behalf of the client with the service system at large and with other treatment team members. 
• Participates in discharge planning and facilitating access to appropriate levels of care based on clinical need and in conjunction with clinically trained staff. 
• Adheres to the Missouri Peer Specialist Code of Ethics and agency Code of Conduct.  
• Serves as a model, support and resource to the team members and individuals being served. 
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  Other duties may be assigned. 

Physical Requirements: