Peer Support Specialist - Behavioral Health

Function as a role model to peers; exhibits competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, provide referral information to consumers in need; provide recovery resources and other materials in the provision of services.

This may include enrollment assistance into insurance and benefit programs for which clients are eligible: transportation, housing, food, behavioral health specialty care and substance abuse treatment.

In addition, making proactive contacts to improve patient outcomes and build relationships with health and social services agencies in the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with crisis intervention, complex and chronic mental illness, and substance abuse in a multi­disciplinary team setting.
• Work with underserved and/or transient populations.
• Work with patients who have co-occurring mental health, substance abuse, and physical health problems.
• Knowledge of general medical practice models and processes such as office procedures, medical records, health insurance, etc.
• Knowledge of clinical data collection and fidelity to program protocols.
• Skilled in data collection and reporting; including use of spreadsheets and electronic medical records.
• Participate in monitoring of individual satisfaction with supports, services, and programs.
• Promotion of recovery services, symptom reduction, increased coping skills, and improved community functioning.
• Effectively collaborate with other health professionals in a team setting, and work to develop procedures to promote integrated behavioral health access and care.
• Able to multi-task and complete a variety of tasks each day (e. g. phone calls, outreach, referrals, EMR documentation, etc.)
• A valid driver's license is required as transportation may be required to provide assistance to medical appointments, social activities, job sites, housing selection, and community resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Grace Health recognizes that managing patient care is a team effort that involves clinical and non-clinical staff. All employees must embrace a team-based approach to patient care and understand that each role is important to our success.

Team members must demonstrate excellent team communication and coordination to provide quality patient care.

Care coordination includes communicating with community organizations, health plans, facilities, and specialists.

Care team members understand and embrace the concept of population management and proactively address the needs of patients and families served by this practice.

Team members must demonstrate skill and knowledge related to effective communication with vulnerable patient populations.

Team members must participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities within the organization to ensure patients receive high quality care.

• All team members will be involved in the process of improving quality incomes.
• Team members will participate in the review and evaluation processes of practice performance and help to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Team members will participate in Grace Health's advocacy program.

General Duties

• Follows policies and procedures of the office, including administrative, clinical, quality assurance, and personnel
• Maintains good attendance (daily, meetings, and other assignment tasks)
• Maintains timely documentation of all work assignments
• Maintains patient confidentiality
• Routinely keeps supervisor informed about attendance and job assignments
• Flexible in being able to multitask
• Works effectively and at an efficient pace
• Works cooperatively with providers, administration, and peers

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to assist in advancing Grace Health’s mission and to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills

• Ability to be a resource for others and work with providers in the community, as well as knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to effectively engage clients by telephone or in person.
• Knowledge of HIPAA confidentiality requirements as they relate to health care and, specifically, behavioral health.
• Ability to offer understanding and respond effectively and with sensitivity to special populations, such as those defined by race, ethnicity, language, age, sex, sexual orientation, economic standing, disability, migrant and seasonal worker status, homelessness, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others.

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of creating and maintaining spreadsheets, documentation via electronic medical record, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with community groups, treatment team staff, providers, and consumers.

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

High school Diploma or G.E.D. Valid KY driver's license required.

Certified Peer Specialist credentialing is required.

Benefits

• Safe harbor 401(k) with match potential
• Paid time off
• Family friendly work environment
• Health insurance
• Wellness program
• Health savings account
• Pharmacy benefit
• Employee visits for medical services
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• STD/LTD
• EAP & Work life services
• Voluntary benefits

Hospital Indemnity

Grace Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.