Peer Support Specialist III for IRTS Statewide/MAT Team Multiple Vacancies

Position Details
Position Information
Recruitment/Posting Title
Peer Support Specialist III for IRTS Statewide/MAT Team (Multiple Vacancies)

Job Category
Staff & Executive - Administrative & Support

Department
UBHC-Case Management Srvcs-PISC

Overview
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC's 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC, one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school.

Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.

Posting Summary
Rutgers The State University is seeking a Peer Support Specialist III in the Community Based Services within Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare.

The Peer Support Specialist III will serve as a role model to demonstrate recovery and wellness principles and provide non-clinical recovery support and to engage and empower individuals to pursue and maintain their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, access community resources, and reach their full potential.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Engages individuals served in a collaborative and caring relationships.
• Initiates contact with individuals served.
• Listens to individuals served with careful attention to the content and emotion being communicated
• Reaches out to engage individuals served across the whole continuum of the recovery process.
• Demonstrates genuine acceptance and respect.
• Demonstrates understanding of individuals served experiences and feelings.
• Meets individuals served face to face in institutions (jail, prison, hospital, rehab, etc. ) and the community to include their homes, shelters, soup kitchens, treatment settings, and outdoor locations.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least three (3) years of relevant experience.

• Valid driver's license.

• Must possess own vehicle for use to outreach individuals served.
• Intensive Recovery Treatment Support (IRTS) Program:
• Must be approved by the Department of Corrections (DOC) and adhere to all DOC requirements.
• Employees will be subject to and must comply with all security regulations and procedures of NJ Department of Corrections and the assigned facility(ies) including, but not limited to sign in logs or electronic time clocks, searches of person and property, etc.
• Violations of NJ Department of Corrections and/or being banned by the Department of Corrections to work at a NJ Department of Corrections' facility are grounds for a disciplinary action and potential termination.

• Experience providing community based services to adults with criminal justice, mental health and/or addictions experience preferred.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) are preferred.
• Certification as a Peer Specialist preferred.

• Ability to speak clearly and write proficiently.
• The ability to focus on the task at hand despite numerous interruptions.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and document into an electronic medical record while in the field.
• Much time driving, walking, standing, and bending.
• Transport of individuals served in state vehicles.
• The employee can expect to lift up to 20 pounds.

• The employee spends much time outdoors in all types of weather talking with individuals served in the community in open spaces, individuals' homes, shelters, soup kitchens, and institutions (prisons, jails, hospitals, treatment centers) and places where individuals congregate.
• Office based services include individual and group meetings.
• Individual wellness checks and crisis intervention required.
• Subject to unpredictable situations and crises, to include behavioral, medical, substance use and psychiatric.
• Occasionally exposed to individuals exhibiting assaultive behaviors.
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens that requires use of personal protective equipment.

Under Policy 100. 3. 1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proo.