Peer Support Specialist SMI EMPACT

Who we are:

EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center, part of the La Frontera family, is an industry-leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing valued community services and resources for behavioral health counseling, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention since 1987. We are an EEO/AA Employer.

What youll do:

This is a great opportunity for Peer Support to join our agency in our San Tan office location. Are you looking for a career to help people but do not have a degree in behavioral health? Lived experience is valuable to us as we are looking for a Peer Support Specialist. A qualified candidate will have personal experience in receiving behavioral health services, have successfully navigated through the behavioral health system, and is ready to help others on their personal journey.

The Peer Support position is a full-time position that will require some evening hours. Experience working with severely mentally ill adults and the adult system of care is required. The Peer Support position serves as a bridge to ongoing services by coordinating and monitoring RBHA/Community-based resources and facilitates the delivery of these necessary services and support. Acts as a consumer advocate assists consumers in the ISP process, and assists in crisis intervention and outreach/engagement. The goal is to provide individuals who are voluntarily and able to give informed consent, assistance in accessing services.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Meets with service recipients in the community as referred. Assists in mapping out the most appropriate next steps for the individual related to housing needs. Develops a brief housing treatment plan with individualized client goals.
• Develops and collaborates with an extensive network of Community Based and RBHA resources, including homeless shelters and coordinated assessment. Participate actively in clinical team meetings with the consumers ongoing provider in order to coordinate care effectively.
• Maintains accurate and thorough documentation in progress notes and in the client's record, including EMPACTs electronic records system, HMIS, and HOME Link.
• Provides peer support, helping the participant develop and implement a self-directed recovery plan, sharing experience, providing support, teaching self-management techniques, and reassurance.
• Requires competency (via specialized training) in the following areas:
• *Risk Assessment
• *In-Home Safety
• *AHCCCS eligibility/Affordable Health Care Act
• *Crisis System
• *Principles of Housing First Model
• *Motivational Interviewing
• *Trauma Informed Care
• *Harm Reduction Model
• *Understanding of the SAMHSA Permanent Supportive Housing Toolkit
• *Use of SPDAT and VI-SPDAT tools
• *Landlord/Tenant Act
• *Other identified peer specialist and system training
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm in crisis situations, work independently and cooperatively, recognize personal limitations, and relate positively and with empathy to all persons regardless of age, race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation.
• Maintain professional conduct consistent with ethical professional practice and the policies and procedures of the agency.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and positive working relationships with internal and external team members, stakeholders, and community and business partners.
• If driving while on agency time or on agency business, a valid Arizona driver's license and appropriate liability insurance and approval for liability coverage with EMPACT - SPCs liability insurance carrier are required.

What youll provide:

• Minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelors degree in the related behavioral healthcare field or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Experience working with severely mentally ill adults and the adult system of care is required.
• Prior experience with the SMI population is preferred.
• Peer Support Certification is required.
• Must be a recipient or have received services through the community behavioral health system.
• Must have the ability and willingness to share their experience of receiving behavioral health services.
• Must have a Fingerprint clearance card or be eligible to obtain one.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish) Diff per hour available.
• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment.

What we'll offer:

(Full-time employees)

• Generous PTO (15 days the first year)
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Medical plans (4 choices)
• Dental plans (2 choices)
• Vision plans (2 choices)
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Retirement Allowance
• Company-paid Life/AD&D and Long-term Disability
• Voluntary additional Life and Short-term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Elder Care Assistance
• Pet Insurance and much more!

EMPACT-SPC is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and accredited by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

EMPACT-SPC/La Frontera Arizona provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All employees of EMPACT-SPC and La Frontera Arizona are employees "at will" as that term is understood in the State of Arizona. This means that employment may be terminated at any time without prior notice and for no stated reason.