Paid Job Openings >> Certified Peer Support Specialist - CARES Team - Paid
Certified Peer Support Specialist - CARES Team - Paid
Summary
Title:
Certified Peer Support Specialist - CARES Team - Paid
ID:
2321
Department:
Homeless Outreach Program
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Description

Certified Peer Support Specialist - CARES Team

Schedule: Full Time, benefits eligible - Position Ends April 2022
Pay Rate: $17/hour


Volunteers of America, Utah builds a community-supported bridge that provides a path for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance.

As part of the CARES Outreach team the Certified Peer Support Specialist builds positive relationships with unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness to link them to shelter, housing, behavioral health and COVID 19 vaccination and testing services.

Our Expectations

  • Attend work on a punctual, regular, and predictable basis.
  • Maintain client confidentiality as outlined in the training module on confidentiality.
  • Maintain positive, professional interactions with community resources including: Homeless Resource Center staff, emergency services, fire, police and sheriff, criminal justice, staff from other community providers, neighborhood residents and businesses, client family members, agency donors, community support groups and referral sources.
  • Provide safe transportation for clients who have accepted referrals or have appointments related to personal stabilization, Covid-19 Vaccinations, and movement out of homelessness.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of assigned office space.
  • Performs other functions as necessary or assigned.

Essential Duties

  • Under the direct supervision of the Program Director, the Peer Support Specialist provides individualized support and coaching with the goals of 1) providing assistance accessing resources to help clients meet their housing and other needs; 2) assisting clients to achieve or maintain stability and independence; and 3) providing expertise about the recovery process and symptom management.
  • Provide scientifically accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines to clients and the community.
  • Help facilitate vaccination appointments.
  • Provide outreach and initiate contact with potential clients. Drawing upon own personal recovery experience with mental health/addiction/homelessness challenges as a basis for engagement with members as a peer, and to validate members’ own lived experiences.
  • Serve as peer mentor to individuals. Offer a positive example of a person with lived experience who has been successful in managing their own recovery of mental health and/or substance use disorders.
  • Educate clients about community resources and harm reduction practices.
  • Assists clients with voicing their strengths, interests, and goals.
  • Participate and present client information in multidisciplinary team meetings and or clinical staffing meetings.
  • Attend community meetings as needed to enhance the work of the outreach team and/or continuum of homeless services.
  • Works closely with Outreach Case Management, Housing & Benefits Coordinator, and other housing resources for the purpose of coordinating care.
Qualifications
  • Direct experience with homelessness, mental illness and/ or substance use disorders and demonstrates a level of recovery sufficient to manage their illness and function independently.
  • Active Peer Support Specialist Certification and Participation in the State of Utah’s program for Peer Support Certification.
  • Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute own work to ensure completion of daily tasks.
  • Strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of partnerships with members and member choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.
  • Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Housing First philosophies, and willingness to incorporate them in your daily work.
  • Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact in a professional manner with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
  • Willingness to accept supervision and direction.
  • Ability to move around the facility and interacting with clients for extended periods.
  • Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
  • Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.
  • Must be able to pass pre-employment background check and drug screen

Full-time benefits include:
Low cost medical coverage (SelectHealth), with a Health Savings Account
Low cost dental and vision coverage
$50,000 life insurance coverage
Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
Retirement plan with employer match

Apply on the career page of our web site: www.voaut.org/careers

Volunteers of America, Utah is committed to creating a diverse environment, where all people feel valued, have the opportunity to do their personal best and where leadership development is fostered. The organization is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs without regard to race, ethnicity, skin color, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and developmental abilities, physical ability or religious belief. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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