Position Details

Peer Support Specialist - Drug Court

Top reasons to work for SMA Healthcare:

  • Career growth and advancement potential
  • Great benefits such as: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, & Disability Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid Personal Leave (up to 25 days after 3 years of service)
  • 403b Retirement Plan (matches one to one of employee contribution for the first 3%, then a 50% match on the next 6% of employee contribution)

Essential Job Functions:

  • Use own experience of recovery to help others.
  • Facilitate and lead support group meetings and recovery related activities.
  • Develop recovery plans tailored to the individual's unique circumstances.
  • Assist individuals in identifying and utilizing resources in the community for further support.
  • Collaborate with mental health professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
  • Encourage self-advocacy among individuals to help them achieve their goals.
  • Document individual progress and maintain confidentiality of all personal information.
  • Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
  • Educate individuals, families, and the community about mental health and substance abuse.
  • Provide professional written and verbal communication to the treatment court team on a daily basis.
  • Participate in weekly pre-hearings and court proceedings.
  • Attend team meetings as scheduled.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or GED. Willing to self-identify as a person in recovery from substance abuse or mental health issues. Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist is preferred. Must obtain certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist within one year of hire. Certification requires two years of living in recovery. Additional education and/or experience may be required per program requirements.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities:

  • Assist clients in identifying and achieving their personal recovery goals.
  • Must be knowledgeable and have experience with care of adults with severe and persistent mental illness as well as chemically dependent adults.
  • Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships and maintain healthy boundaries and respect for client rights and personal preferences.
  • Knowledge of the characteristics and problems of adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses, and/or chemical dependence.
  • Ability to quickly assess situations and use sound judgment in defusing potentially risk situations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, medical and clinical professionals, court personnel and the general public.
  • Ability to prepare clear and concise client documentation/reports.
  • Ability to incorporate cultural and age appropriate care into all aspects of communication and service delivery.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with other employees, program staff, persons receiving services, court administration, outside organizations, and others.
  • Share personal experiences to provide hope and encouragement.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment. Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical: Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 10 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12 hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

Application: This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. It should not be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.