Peer Support Specialist

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The University of Miami/UHealth Department of Pediatrics has an exciting opportunity for a full time Peer Support Specialist to work in Miami, FL.

The Peer Support Specialist provides a variety of services including but not limited to advocacy, training, facilitating recovery, educational and enrichment groups, linkages to community resources, and mentoring. Through their personal and professional experience, the Peer Support Specialist supports families and/or individuals seeking to achieve and sustain recovery to reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence. The Peer Support Specialist empowers families and/or individuals by teaching them how to navigate the behavioral health and child welfare systems to achieve resiliency and recovery as defined by the individual and or family. The Peer Support Specialist acts as the “bridge” between the individual and/or family and the case manager or service provider, increasing awareness of their perspective and improving effectiveness of parent-professional partnerships.

Core Responsibilities:

• Serves as a family/individual representative and advocate in program/agency activities. Serves as a role model for children and families.
• Assists in the facilitation of individual/family support and educational groups.
• Provides Parent Partner Peer support to families/individuals by using personal and professional life experiences.
• Works in partnership with the case manager and/or service provider to link families/individuals to needed services.
• Advocates for and supports children and families in a caring and respectful manner.
• Responds to the cultural and linguistic needs and preferences of families/individuals, stakeholders, and system partners.
• Assists families/individuals to identify and build natural supports as well as self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills.
• Helps families/individuals identify strengths and recognize successes to promote self-esteem and empowerment.
• Actively promotes and educates families/individuals on what Parent Partner Peer support is and about the availability of Parent Partner Peer support services at any point in treatment.
• Assists families/individuals to develop a Recovery Plan when needed.
• Documents one-to-one sessions, telephone calls and/or visits with families/individuals to reflect their supportive role. Participates in case conference
• Has a clear understanding of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Individual Rights and Confidentiality
• Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the agency’s reporting procedures
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Department Specific Functions:

• Provides supportive services to program participants.
• Assist individuals with linkage to behavioral health treatment and other community resources
• Build supportive relationships with program participants, emphasizing the development of trust, mutual respect, encouragement, and emotional support
• Help individuals served identify and/or re-engage with family, friends, and other natural supports and other community resources
• Ability to help set mutually beneficial boundaries with individuals 
• Help the individual served identify strengths and recognize successes to promote self-esteem and empowerment.
• Reduce or eliminate barriers for individuals served to attend medical appointments
• Maintain appropriate standards of confidentiality and ethics
• May have to travel using personal vehicle to different locations where the individual may be served including home visits.
• Help individuals served identify goals and make choices that promote resiliency and facilitate recovery.
• Respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints in a calm, professional manner
• Validate the person’s served experiences and provide guidance and encouragement for the person to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Report clinical concerns and high-risk individuals and safety issues as they occur to program staff and supervisors.
• Ensure that services reflect and support an individual’s differences, language and cultural diversity.
• Exhibit nonjudgmental approach, effective listening, good eye contact, and positive interactions.
• Follow up with individuals served via phone calls, home visits, and visits within the community.
• Complete all program documentation.
• Complete all the required training courses.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

Core Qualifications:

• High School Diploma. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience required.
• Certification and Licensing: Peer Support Specialist Certification or willing to work towards certification within first year of employment.
• Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

 Any relevant education, certifications and/or work experience may be considered.

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The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff