Peer Support Specialist (BJA)

Hours:  40 Hours Per Week 8:30am to 5:00pm M-F  

Location: Cocke County Jail and Newport WestCare Tennessee office 

Position Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the Recovery team of WestCare Tennessee and works collaboratively with the Project Director, Nurse Counselor, and Case Manager.  This position provides peer leadership, recovery support service, advocacy, coaching and outreach to participants to justice involved individuals.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Tennessee.
• Uphold strict confidentiality of individual information.
• Become certified as a Certified Peer Support Specialist with the State of Tennessee.
• Assist individuals with establishing or re-establishing support systems within their community.
• Assist individuals with setting recovery goals, developing recovery actions plans, and solving important issues the individual may be having like: finding sober living, making new friends, improving job skills, and finding new, safe ways to spend their free time.
• Advocate on behalf of the participants to improve access to needed services, information, or treatment.
•  Provide support and assistance to participants during program activities in group or individual settings.
•  Participate in staffing to provide peer understanding regarding a participant’s current strengths, workplace performance and need for additional resources.
•   Complete documentation of services on provided forms and inputting work activities in required data tracking software platforms promptly and according to deadlines.
•   Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with individuals served.
•   Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with organizations/ community agencies who refer individuals to WestCare Tennessee.
•    Submit weekly report to Project Director.
•   Attend necessary monthly integrated staff team meetings.
•  Attend in-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary.
•  Will engage and complete the required WestCare Tennessee eLearning, and any other program related trainings.
•  Perform participant follow up interviews to document recovery progress, to make additional referrals to needed services and to maintain active communication throughout the duration of the participant’s enrollment in the program.
• Perform additional tasks that support a productive office workflow as deemed necessary by the BJA program guidelines.

Essential Qualifications: 

Certifications/Licenses - 

Valid Driver's License and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare's vehicle insurance
 

Education - 

• Graduation with a two-year degree in Addiction Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Community and Human Services, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field is preferred. 
• High School Diploma or Equivalent required. 
• 2-4 years of experience in related project field may be substituted for degree.

Experience and Competencies - 

•   Case management experience preferred.
•   Ability to work collaboratively with others in a professional manner.
•   Ability to work well in a team environment.
•   Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
•   Ability to operate a computer and complete documents in Microsoft Word and Excel program formats.
•    Ability to respond as needed to a crisis in an efficient manner.
•    Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours.
•    Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•     Familiar with searching for community resources.

Working Condition -

• Work is performed in a combination of an office and outdoor setting.
•   Some travel is required.