Peer Support Specialist

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Overview:

The Peer Support Specialist provides one-on-one support to individuals who are managing mental health, substance use, or other life challenges, leveraging personal lived experience to assist in recovery. This position is responsible for facilitating a supportive, empathetic environment that promotes empowerment, self-sufficiency, and hope. Peer Support Specialists will work alongside clinicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure clients receive a holistic approach to care, while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Provide emotional and practical support to individuals in mental health, substance use, or recovery programs by sharing lived experience, offering guidance, and listening actively

2. Build and maintain relationships with clients, helping them navigate systems of care, community resources, and support services

3. Advocate for client needs and preferences with other service providers and in treatment planning

4. Assist clients in setting and achieving personal recovery goals

5. Help them explore their strengths, identify barriers, and develop actionable strategies to overcome obstacles

6. Lead or co-facilitate group discussions and peer-led support groups, fostering a sense of community and shared experience among participants

7. Assist individuals in developing life skills such as coping strategies, communication techniques, and stress management through peer-driven activities and educational materials

8. Maintain accurate and timely records of interactions and services provided

9. Provide appropriate responses to clients in crisis, including de-escalation, emotional support, and referring to higher levels of care when necessary

10. Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including social workers, counselors, and other healthcare professionals, to ensure comprehensive care for each client

11. Follow all of Inside Out Wellness and Advocacy policies and procedures

Requirements:

Requires mobility and physical activity; Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in a residential or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 20 pounds. Use of computers and telephones is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing and writing).

Requires talking, hearing, and seeing; Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken and written word. Ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. Ability to observe client behavior and activities and complete paperwork.

Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. Requires the ability to work and cooperate with individuals served, co-workers, employees, and the public at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions. Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.

Requires a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. Staff may be required to respond to mobile crisis calls, and additional compensation may be applicable.

Staff providing peer support specialist services must meet one or more of the following qualifications:

• High School Graduate or GED

• Lived experience with mental health, substance use recovery, or a similar personal experience of overcoming adversity

• Must have Peer Support Specialist certification, or be willing to obtain certification, and maintain certification per the State of Iowa guidelines

• Ability to relate to individuals from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate empathy, respect, and a non-judgmental attitude

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Knowledge of community resources and mental health and substance use treatment options in Iowa

Disclaimer:

• Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not restrict or prescribe the tasks that may be assigned.

• Critical features of this job have been described in the narrative. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Inside Out Wellness and Advocacy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.