Certified Peer Specialist

 Are you seeking a career with a growing company, a place where you can make an impact in the community?

Then Positive Impact Health Centers is the company for you!

Positive Impact Health Centers (PIHC) is a community leader in providing HIV prevention, care and treatment services. The PIHC model of care assures that persons with HIV have access to medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health and social services, providing the best opportunity for patients to achieve high-quality health outcomes.

What makes us different? 

We offer our employees the following:

• 1 Health Wellness day per quarter
• Parental Leave
• Free parking at our locations/bus line accessibility
• Competitive Salary & Benefits
• Automatic 3% Safe Harbor & 2% Profit Sharing (Retirement Program)
• 100% allotted for benefit elections for employees, 50% allotted for benefit elections for employees' spouse/dependents
• Credit Union 

Job Summary: The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is responsible for establishing relationships and providing peer support services and advocacy to the targeted population. The CPS is also responsible for connecting clients to needed HIV medical care, substance abuse/mental health treatment, and other client services; and reducing barriers to care. The purpose is to decrease risks inherent in mental health and substance abuse challenges. This position is based in Decatur but on occasion may require travel to other PIHC locations for training or coverage.

• Provide direct peer counseling in both individual and group formats utilizing the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
• Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with clients.
• Assist clients in utilizing and initiating problem-solving techniques by teaching clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk, how to identify and overcome fears, and model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Support clients’ vocational choices and assist them in overcoming job-related anxiety and in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
• Assist staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery and lend unique insight into mental illness and substance abuse and what makes recovery possible.
• Provide drug and alcohol information and support to individuals, families and other stake holders.
• Maintain client records in accordance with prudent, generally accepted record keeping procedures, as defined by Positive Impact and as required by law, grants and contracts.
• Conducts client mental health and substance abuse intakes and assessments.
• Performs intake and/or random urine toxicology’s to ensure treatment compliance.
• Provides crisis intervention services as needed by participating in the on-call clinician rotation.
• Attends all team, agency and community meetings as required.
• Answer phone calls and inquiries concerning mental health services and substance abuse treatment program.
• Maintain strict confidentiality guidelines regarding all clients, conversations and referrals.
• Be active and assertive in the community in efforts to engage the targeted population.
• Provide addiction education to clients, families, and other stake holders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• The causes and effects of drugs and alcohol, and addictions on individuals, families and communities
• Demonstration of knowledge specific to issues in HIV/AIDS and substance abuse
• An understanding of crisis management and the ability to deal with life threatening situations including the prevention of suicide.
• Strong applicants can demonstrate the ability to be positive in their empathetic responses to all persons; understand the value of meaningful and deep client engagement; have the potential to acquire the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills of effectively reaching clients who are HIV positive.
• Effective verbal, written, and listening communication skills.
• Awareness of community resources and ability to build community partner relationships.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate good decision making in dealing with safety issues and with aggressive and/or intoxicated clients, if required
• Conflict resolution
• Current driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Stress and time management.
• Be able to manage his/her own case files on an independent basis.
• Be able to work cooperatively as a part of a team.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Certification as a peer specialist (preferably in the state of Georgia)
• Ability to work flexible hours to address client needs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge and experience (1 or more years) in working with chemically dependent/mental health clientele.
• Have an understanding of HIV.
• Interest in integrating personal experience with linkage, retention and adherence into work with clients.
• Understanding of the community served
• Knowledge of relevant community resources and methods for accessing them.
• Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately.
• Interest or experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional health care services.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with clients and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to clients.
• Basic computer skills.
• Knowledge and experience (1 or more years) in working with chemically dependent/mental health clientele.