PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST – Campbell County Health – Gillette, WY

JOB SUMMARY

Working in conjunction with the BHS counselors, psychologists, nurses and psychiatrists, BHS Peer Specialist perform a variety of activities in assisting with the treatment of clients within the framework of the Wyoming Department of Health Behavioral Health Division Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services standards.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

• Provide peer support services.
• Serve as a client advocate.
• Provide information and peer support for clients in a variety of settings to include but not be limited to: intensive outpatient and relapse prevention groups, jail based services, SPMI skills and recreation groups, anger management, individual sessions as well as education programs
• Support clients in living their own lives and directing their own recovery and wellness process.
• Model competency in recovery and wellness.
• Observes patients and reports conditions and/or interactions to appropriate counselor/psychologist/psychiatrist.
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings and clinical treatment team meetings.
• Documents according to policy.
• Complies with the hospital’s Corporate Compliance Program including, but not limited to, the Code of Conduct, laws and regulations, and hospital policies and procedures.
• Must be free from governmental sanctions involving health care and/or financial practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Failure to meet basic job specifications, requirements and/or disciplinary actions, may result in loss of merit raise.
  • Education: High school graduate or GED. Associates degree in human services, psychology or sociology is preferred.
  • License: N/A
  • Experience: Previous behavioral health experience preferred.
  • Maintain his/her own recovery and wellness program
  • Must have current Healthcare Provider CPR or Red Cross Professional Rescuer certification within 60 days of employment.
  • Essential Technical/Motor Skills: Hand/eye coordination in order to use computer, etc. Speaking clearly to communicate with patients, families, physicians and staff regarding patient condition and care.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Ability to develop positive interaction with patients, patient families, physicians and staff in order to effectively care for the patients.
  • Essential Physical Requirements: Ability to lift and/or maneuver objects weighing 40 pounds or less in the assessment and implementation of patient care. May require working evenings and weekends. May require standing, sitting or walking for long periods of time.
  • Essential Mental Abilities: Must be able to assist in assessing a patient’s condition, formulating a plan of care, selecting appropriate interventions, evaluating patient response to care/treatment and explaining/teaching patients about their condition/recovery. Requires higher level of mental faculties accompanied by short- and long-term memory. Ability to function in stressful situations.
  • Essential Sensory Requirements: Corrected vision, hearing to normal range.
  • Exposure to Hazards: OSHA CATEGORY I. TASK THAT INVOLVES EXPOSURE TO BLOOD, BODY FLUIDS, OR TISSUES. All procedures or other job-related tasks that involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues, or potential for spills or splashes of them, are Category I Tasks. Use of appropriate protective measures is required for every employee engaged in Category I Tasks.
  • Hours of Work: 40-hours per week usually Monday through Friday 8am-5pm. Modifications to schedule may be necessary to cover evening groups.
  • Patient Safety Fair per BHS policy
  • BHS core competencies.

  CPR Certification every two (2) years, required within 60 days of hire
  CPI Certification (2 day course) every one (1) year, required within 6 months of hire

  • Minimally attends 15 Hours of Continuing Education
  • Attends 80% of Staff Meetings