Peer Support Specialist - Assertive Community Treatment (Nebraska CCBHC)

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrates diversity and inclusion. Trauma-Informed Care is our foundation, recognizing the presence and impact of trauma while fostering safe, collaborative, and supportive work environments.

The Peer Support Specialist – Rural Sites (Iowa CCBHC) is a fully integrated team member who provides highly individualized services across the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. This position is based out of the Harlan, IA office and requires regular travel throughout Southwest Iowa.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A Peer Specialist is someone who has received or is currently receiving services for a Serious and Persistent Mental Illness and provides services to peers from a lived experience perspective.  This person may also have a history of using substances.   This position is a fully integrated Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team member who provides highly individualized services in the community and promotes client self-determination and decision-making from a whole health perspective. Peer Specialists also provide essential expertise and consultation to the entire team to promote a culture in which each client's point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities. Professionals at this level have excellent communication skills with clients, family members and community institutions. Decision-making, problem solving, and highly developed interpersonal skills are critical. 

Compensation: Wage is based on total years of relevant experience
Work Schedule: 37.5 hours per week (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Click to see benefits and company perks

• Have or obtain Peer Recovery Specialist Certification from Nebraska Board of Certification 
• Familiar with the Georgia Model of Peer Support and whole health wellness 
• Two years paid or volunteer experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness preferred 
• Valid driver's license/ acceptable driving record 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilizes lived experience of behavioral health treatment and recovery to support clients in their journey of recovery.  
• Approach work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and respect differing opinions.  
• Consults with community agencies and organizations, including peer run programs such as self-help groups and peer drop-in centers. Facilitates client participation in peer self-help programs and activities. 
• Documents client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to the agency's established methods and procedures. Participates in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings. 
• Contributes to the team's ongoing assessment of clients' mental illness symptoms and clients' response to treatment. Shares observations and concerns with the team for consultation and direction and takes appropriate action. 
• Utilizes recovery-based techniques to provide direct services to clients on an individual, group, and family basis in the office and in community settings to teach symptom-management.  
• Assists in skill development in the areas of personal hygiene and grooming tasks, nutrition education, meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, locating and maintaining a safe and affordable place to live, daily household maintenance, locating transportation services. 
• Provide transportation to assist clients with gaining access to resources. 
• Assist clients to obtain a primary care physician, dentist, and eye doctor.   
• Assist clients to plan and carry out socialization and leisure time activities. 
• Organizes and leads individual and group social and recreational activities. 
• Displays a courteous and caring attitude at all times to the clientele, volunteers, and visitors of the Agency. 
• Is dependable and punctual regarding scheduling and attendance. 
• Abides by all specific program and Agency procedures, policies, and requirements. 
• Develops personal and program related skills through participation in internal and external training opportunities. 
• Performs other program related duties as assigned.