Peer Support Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Peer Support Specialist utilizes lived experience to build rapport and provide support, guidance, and advocacy to patients and their families; assists patients with accessing and navigating behavioral health care services, recourse, and systems of care; encourages full patient engagement in services to promote wellness and recovery; and performs related duties as assigned.

Reporting to the Clinical Unit Supervisor, the Peer Support Specialist has accountability for the responsibilities listed below. This position requires full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the Mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital. It is expected that the employee will demonstrate consistent behavior with the Core Values.

The employee shall support Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital’s strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality and performance improvement process activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides peer to peer support services on the EMPATH unit but not limited to support, encouragement, guidance, advocacy, and referrals to external resources and services for patients and their families; builds rapport with patients and their families through sharing stories of lived experience and recovery. Encourages and supports patents to fully engage in services; assists patients in addressing and overcoming barriers to treatment.

Provides resources and referrals to address basic needs and other barriers to wellness and recovery including food, housing, clothing, transportation, and other financial resources. Assists patients with setting and implementing wellness and recovery goals; models and shares effective coping strategies. Assists patients and families to understand behavioral health problems and steps to recovery.

Provides advice and guidance to patients and staff related to area of expertise, based on loved experience. Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, addresses patients’ concerns, barriers, progress, and other relevant information to enhance treatment services; assists and supports patients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with treatment team.

Maintain accurate, detailed, and thorough documentation, case records, and notes of all billable and non-billable activities and services related to patient carte; completes necessary documentation for billing purposes. Maintains patient confidentiality in compliance with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA regulations.

Observes and complies with all Authority and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. Role models the hospital’s patient satisfaction efforts when interacting with patients, visitors and colleagues. Participates in unit-based initiatives that promote patient safety and support customer service goals. Aware of Watson Model of Care including key elements of Caring, Competence, Communication and Commitment.

Upholds’ professional appearance and demonstrates such through adherence to dress code: wears ID badge and promotes the standard of proper identification for peers and staff. Any other duties assigned by the Clinical Unit Supervisor or Nurse Director POSITION REQUIREMENTS A.

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalency. B. Qualifications/Experience One year experience providing peer support services to patient in a behavioral health setting. Current California State Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (CMPSS) certification Current Basic Life Support (BLS) C. Special Skills/Knowledge Basic computer skills Must complete the annual Workplace Violence Prevention Program/Certificate, per hospital policy, during initial training/orientation but not to exceed 30 days from hire/transfer.

Experience with an Electronic Medical Record preferred.