Peer Support Specialist 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. 

You can view all our job openings at: https://lafronteraaz-empact.org/join-us/

What you’ll do:

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 primary responsibilities of the Peer Support Specialist position are to model the skills necessary to maneuver within the behavioral health system and other community programs, serving as a system guide and advocate. Provide direct support to the individual served and act as an active member of the Adult Recovery Team. 

Essential Responsibilities:

•  Assist the individual served in developing and implementing a self-directed recovery plan, by sharing your own experience, providing support, teaching self-management techniques and reassurance. Follow up and assist with the needs identified in the plan. 
• Locate and orient the individual served to additional informal supports available in the community and help get them connected. Provide assistance in completing applications for community resources as needed. Participate with team members and agency staff in identifying and removing barriers within the behavioral health system. Provide strengths-based, community-based and culturally competent services for individuals served. 
• Deliver 40 hours of work per week, with a goal of 30 hours direct client contact, which includes case management as needed. Productivity standards established at a minimum of once a year and as needed due to contract changes. Evening and weekend hours may be required to accommodate the schedules of individuals served. Attend meetings and trainings as requested. Attend regular scheduled weekly supervision. Seek out additional supervision as needed. Complete all tasks agreed upon by timelines given. 
• Develop and collaborate with an extensive network of community based and RHBA resources. The Peer Support person must know how to access various social/behavioral health community based services that can include but is not limited to: food, clothing, support services, and crisis stabilization/transition services. This can also include making necessary appointments, assisting with scheduling or arranging SMI evaluations when applicable. 
• Produce complete, timely, thorough, quality clinical documentation of all services rendered, both billable and non-billable, as required. The documentation must include sufficient information about the activity being documented and the client’s participation in, and response to, the activity.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform those assignments agreed to in the team meeting and defined in job description, and provide on-going support by being there to listen or help them in communicating what is and isn't working. Also at the individuals request and when appropriate, meet with system staff and supervisors to continuously improve quality of processes. 
• Maintain a professional demeanor and positive working relationships and effective ongoing communication with all referring organizations, behavioral health clients, parole officers, case managers, service coordinators and school personnel. 
• Participate in identifying training needs of Peer Support Specialists and co-workers in applying the Arizona Recovery model. 
• Position requires driving of company van and/or personal vehicle. Must maintain a valid Arizona driver's license at all times. 
• If driving while on agency time or on agency business, a valid Arizona driver license and appropriate liability insurance and approval for liability coverage with EMPACT - SPC’s liability insurance carrier is required. At time of hire, a 3-year state driving record with no major infractions or excessive driving violations/tickets is required.
• Recommend to Clinical Coordinator or Manager changes that would improve service delivery. 
• Participate in agency fund raising activities as requested by management.

 What you’ll provide:

• High School diploma or GED required. 
• Must be able to obtain Peer Support Specialist Certificate 
• Must be a recipient or have received services through the community behavioral health system.
• Able and willing to share experience of receiving behavioral health services.
• A valid AZ Driver's License with no major infractions in past 39 months is required.
• Regular access to reliable transportation is required.
• Must be 21 years of age or older at time of employment. 

What we’ll offer:

(Full-time employees)

• Generous PTO 
• 10 paid holidays per year 
• Medical plans (3 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. 

EMPACT-SPC/La Frontera Arizona reserves the right to modify position descriptions as needed and without notice. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.