POSITION SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the Recovery team of WestCare Tennessee and works collaboratively with the Project Director, Treatment Counselor, Case Manager and Employment Specialist. This position provides peer leadership, recovery support service, advocacy, coaching and outreach to participants with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)/Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who are seeking to sustain their own recovery path.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Tennessee. Uphold strict confidentiality of individual information. Assist participants with establishing or re-establishing support systems within their community. Advocate on behalf of the participants to improve access to needed services, information, or treatment. Provide support and needed assistance to participants during program activities in group or individual settings. Provide recovery support, coaching, mentoring, education, intervention, empowerment and advocacy to participants. Assist participants with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and/or mental health diagnoses. Assist participants in developing skills and competencies for a successful support network. Conducts skill building groups and other activities as assigned by the Project Director. Acts as an appropriate role model inspiring hope. Serve as a family/individual representative and advocate in program/agency activities. Assist in the facilitation of individual/family support and educational groups. Provide Peer support to participants by using personal and professional life experiences. Work in partnership with the case manager to link participants to needed services. Assist program participants to identify and build natural supports as well as self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills. Help participants identify strengths and recognize successes to promote self-esteem and empowerment. Assist participants to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan when needed. Document one-to-one sessions, telephone calls and/or visits with families/individuals to reflect their supportive role. Provide peer support services to additional populations, as needed. Participate in staffing to provide peer understanding regarding a participant’s current strengths, workplace performance and need for additional resources. Complete documentation of services on provided forms and inputting work activities in required data tracking software platforms promptly and according to deadlines. Perform participant follow up interviews to document recovery progress, to make additional referrals to needed services and to maintain active communication throughout the duration of the participant’s enrollment in the program. Attend necessary monthly integrated staff team meetings. Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with individuals served. Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with organizations/ community agencies who refer individuals to WestCare Tennessee. Submit weekly report to Project Director. Work closely with Project Director, Research Assistant, and WestCare Foundation Evaluation team regarding the collection of data and reporting of program outcomes. Attend in-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary. Perform additional tasks that support a productive office workflow as deemed necessary by Project Director. Will engage and complete the required WestCare Tennessee eLearning, and any other program related trainings.