Peer Support Specialist

Description

Peer support Specialists (PSS) are individuals who have been successful in the recovery process, and help others beginning the SUD recovery journey. Based on an approved Individual Plan of Care, they are key agents of change and recovery for clients at a peer level. Peer Support Specialists support people in accessing SUD treatment and maintaining a housing recovery residence with attention to their health and safety. They ensure individuals in recovery focus on their goals and learn life skills helping individuals build recovery capital and discontinue using substances. Peer Support Specialists constantly assess clients' needs and consistently respond with creative problem solving to changing demands and pressures. PSS bring issues of concern and/or importance to the Recovery Residence Case Manager for consultation. 

The schedule for this role is Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm.

Janus of Santa Cruz is currently seeking a qualified Admissions Peer Support Specialist position, responsible for supporting clients’ SUD treatment goals for recovery and self-sufficiency. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, the Peer Support Specialist helps clients to become and stay engaged in their recovery from addictions and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Core Values of the Peer Support Specialist include: hope, person driven/centered, holistic wellness, authenticity, cultural responsiveness and humility, respect, integrity, advocacy, confidentiality, safe and protection, education, mutuality, reciprocity, strengths as wellness, recovery and resilience based.

The Peer Support Specialist: 

• Supports people in accessing or maintaining SUD treatment recognizing the validity of multiple pathways to self-defined recovery
• Respects the confidentiality of clients: aware of sensitive personal information about the families like medical files or finance information 
• Communicates and understands clients’ challenges and strengths well and is able to build a working relationship through empathy and shared connections 
• Validates each person’s progress, keeps them actively engaged in their recovery goals 
• Supports exploring any and all resources when helping someone achieve recovery including healthy nutrition 
• In collaboration with Program Manager, ensure that all supplies needed for the recovery residences are ordered delivered on time 
• Is aware of the house calendar, daily housekeeping and maintenance performed by clients and is part of ensuring that the facility is always well-kept 
• Helps clients to meet weekly schedules, chores, meetings, etc. 
• Assists with data-tracking requirements related to peer support care in residential programs 
• Someone who consistently responds positively, with creative problem solving, to changing house/client needs 
• Follows trauma-informed care model 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 18 years old or older, possess a high school diploma, GED or equivalent or College Degree 
• Someone who self-identifies as an individual with lived experience in SUD recovery, with at least six-12 months of active recovery-and is interested in providing a supportive environment to other individuals in recovery 
• Agree to uphold the California Department of Health and Services Medical Code of Ethics for Peer Support Specialists in California 
• Personality/style that offers warmth, structure, and firm boundaries 
• Time management skills; Responsible, efficient, discreet, and organized 
• Registration with a certifying organization as a Peer Support Specialist (may be obtained through Janus of Santa Cruz

Physical/Mental Requirements:

• KNOWLEDGE OF WORK - Possess and utilizes knowledge of the job which is essential to perform the specific functions and related work. 
• QUANTITY OF WORK - Accomplishes an appropriate volume of satisfactory work under normal conditions. Ability to produce results. 
• QUALITY OF WORK - Consistently demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, neatness, and dependability to produce work within acceptable standards. 
• TIMELINESS - Completes assignments on or ahead of schedule. 
• ABILITY TO LEARN NEW DUTIES - Interprets, learns, and responds to instructions for new situations, procedures, or methods. 
• JUDGEMENT and COMMON SENSE - Decisions/actions are sound, including safety awareness. 
• COOPERATION - Willing to work with others toward common goals. 
• COMMUNICATIONS - Demonstrates relevance and clarity of written and oral expression. Effectiveness in exchanging ideas and information. 
• INITIATIVE - Ability to originate, develop or create new ideas or take steps to get things done. 
• PROBLEM SOLVING - Identifies and evaluates alternate solutions and selection of the most appropriate course of action. 
• ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY - Shows daily ability to be at work at scheduled time, including being prepared to work on time after breaks, meal periods and other authorized absences from work.