Peer Ally Navigator

Beacon Community Connections

Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialists provide social care services through assessment, care coordination, and navigation of complex systems of care. The Peer Support Specialist supports people with substance use and social needs by connecting them to community resources, social services, and healthcare, including behavioral health. The Peer Support Specialist serves as an advocate when facilitating access to services. The Peer Support Specialist collaborates internally and externally to ensure clients receive resolutions for their social care needs. The Peer Support Specialist reports directly to the Peer Support Specialist Coordinator.

General Social Care Responsibilities

• Conduct an assessment of health-related social needs and other social care needs.
• Create a social care plan using person-centered principles.
• Communicate on a regular schedule with clients through phone, video conference, text/email.
• Document interactions with clients and community-based organizations on behalf of clients within Beacon’s Social Care Health Record (SOCHR) powered by Salesforce.
• Provide education to empower and generate client self-sufficiency
• Maintain a solution-oriented mindset for creative problem-solving of client social care needs

• Attend Beacon-wide and service-line-specific meetings and events consistently
• Stay up to date on social care processes and procedures.
• Serve as a backup for health navigation and provide direct social care during crisis situations
• Other duties as assigned

Ally Response Navigation Responsibilities and Metrics

• Respond with an in-person interaction within 30-60 minutes upon referral receipt
• Complete in-person response to referrals from hospitals for clients who have overdosed or are in need of substance use treatment. 
• Conduct initial assessments and brief interventions utilizing standard tools. 
• Facilitate initial interventions or initiation of treatment as directed by the client and family.
• Provide education to clients and family/friends, and promote harm reduction strategies based on the client’s goals, preferences, and life circumstances.
• Diligent effort to maintain a 30-day connection with clients, respond timely to calls, emails, or texts  
• Establish a positive relationship with clients who are struggling with drug usage or co-occurring disorders.

• Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with clients respectfully, in a culturally appropriate, and non-judgmental manner
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on treatment options, community resources, and substance use disorder symptomology to effectively educate and counsel clients.
• Engage with clients with co-occurring mental health disorders to help them access services.

Beacon-wide Staff Responsibilities

• Complete all work with Beacon’s mission and vision in mind, including assigned tasks or projects outside the scope of regular work responsibilities.
• Work within the core value of Better Together by building and maintaining relationships with Beacon staff members, clients, and community partners.
• Work within the core value of Self-Care by ensuring your own good physical and mental well-being and encouraging it in those around you.
• Work within the core value of Lifelong Learning by engaging in staff professional development and self-directed learning.
• Work within the core value of Belonging by seeking opportunities to build community and a positive working culture at Beacon.
• Work within the core value of Solution Oriented to provide excellent social care for clients, including collaborating to raise funds and find other resources to support Beacon’s mission.

Professional Qualifications

• Applicants must possess lived experience with addiction and recovery, with a minimum of two years in stable recovery/sobriety
• Complete Peer Support Specialist training within the first 3 months of employment

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, or related field preferred by not required
• High school diploma or equivalent required
  
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing
• Ability to complete standardized assessments as part of holistic social care services
• Ability to speak on the phone, via video conference call,  in-person, or via text/email to communicate with clients
• Empathetic demeanor at all times with all clients. Sensitive to the needs of the poor, uninsured, elderly, disabled, chronically ill, or other marginalized people
• Strong computer skills and the ability to accurately document client activities in an electronic health record
• Comfortable working in a busy, loud environment