Peer Support Specialist

Posting Type:
Open to All Applicants
Category:
Healthcare Support
FLSA Exempt/
Non-Exempt:
Non-Exempt
Agency:
Health & Human Services Comm
Department:
Non-Vocational Day Prog Svs
Job Title:
Peer Support Specialist
Posting Number:
516091
Full Time/Part Time :
Full Time
Regular/Temporary:
Regular
Job Location:
721 THOMPSON DR
City:
KERRVILLE
Other Locations:
KERRVILLE
Contact:
AccessHR Service Center
Telephone:
888-894-4747
Salary Range:
$2,741.39 – $2,769.08
Salary Group:
A08
Shift:
Days (First)
Travel:
5%
Closing Date:
09/19/2022
 
 
Job Description:
Are you ready to be professionally challenged? Are you looking to be part of a dynamic team of engaged and committed professionals? Then the Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) may be just the place for you! The HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals located throughout the state, and one youth residential psychiatric center in Waco. The HSCS is a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospitals provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. Whether in a direct-care or support role, your contribution will make a difference in the life of a Texan.

Psychiatric Nursing Asst I: The Peer Support Specialist works under the supervision of the Director of Rehabilitation Services. This position will develop and maintain supportive relationships with persons served and hospital staff. These relationships are essential to establishing the individual’s strengths and goals; Identifying barriers, recovery strategies and alternatives to restraint/seclusion and making choices about medication and treatment; and providing links to community resources upon discharge. The primary responsibility of a Peer Specialist is to help individuals identify and achieve their recovery goals that meet their specific needs. Prefer prior experience as Certified Peer Specialist in a hospital setting. The Peer Specialist facilitates recovery groups and participates in panel presentations to assist in education of recovery principles. The Peer Specialist must be willing to identify self as having lived experience with mental health challenges, preferably with the experience of hospitalization or an accredited substance abuse facility. Must have at least one year of sustained recovery and wellness. The Peer Specialist must have certification from Via Hope curriculum. Presentations for staff and persons served provide the perspective of individuals living in recovery. Will maintain departmental and hospital documentation and records. Will perform other duties as assigned.  
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

1. Uses active listening skills to assist persons served in recognizing their strengths and deficits, and uses problem solving skills to assist them in identifying barriers to recovery.
2. Assists in the process of linking individuals to community-based, peer-run resources.
3. Facilitates support groups and educational programs relating to recovery and shares their personal recovery story with the persons served.
4. Provides advocacy support to individuals when working with the treatment teams during staff meetings to discuss their recovery plan, and on an individual basis when requested by the individual.
5. Participates in peer support panels and training workshops for educational purposes and to collaborate with peers regarding ideas to improve support recovery services by developing and implementing viable concepts and tool.
6. Assists with Restraint/Seclusion debriefings with staff and patients, and serves on other hospital-wide committees to assist in discussing processes and information which will enhance the hospital’s recovery mission.

Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
 
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Ability to identify self as having a lived experience with mental health challenges and willingness to share own personal recovery story.
3. Ability to listen effectively.
4. Ability to problem solve.
5. Ability to facilitate groups.
6. Ability to work collaboratively with treatment team members and other staff.
7. Ability to guide persons served in using recovery tools which promote individualized, person-centered care.
8. Ability to document skills developed with persons served.
9. Knowledge and ability to recognize signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness.
10. Ability to maintain healthy boundaries with peers, treatment teams, and hospital staff.
11. Knowledge of and skilled in the use of basic computer programs.  
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None  
Initial Selection Criteria:
GED or high school diploma is required.  
Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Salary Note: The salary offered will follow HHS starting salary guidelines which are typically made at or near the posted minimum of the salary range.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All of these diseases are vaccine-preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with patients. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Must have at least one year of sustained recovery and wellness. Must be willing to identify self as having a lived experience with mental health challenges, preferably with the experience of hospitalization or an accredited substance abuse facility.

All new hire candidates will be required to receive COVID-19 medical screening (nasal test) as part of the due diligence process.

Requisition ID:516091