CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM

Position Description

TITLE:  Peer Support Specialist          DEPARTMENT:    Emergency Department (ED)

CLASSIFICATION:  Non-Exempt     JOB CODE: 

JOB SUMMARY:

Peer Support Specialists in the Emergency Department will be responsible for providing essential expertise, advocacy, and consultation to the plan of care for clients to include a special focus on behavioral health discharge planning and warm handoff connections to community resources.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:     Responsible to:  Peer Support Manager

                                                   Nature of supervision received:  Direct

MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following is a summary of the major essential functions of the job.  The incumbent may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below, and specific functions may change from time to time.

1. Coordinates care pre/post discharge for the client following case management criteria and identified Behavioral Health related issues.
2. Collaborates and communicates with departmental and system-wide personnel, physicians, patients, and with various outside insurance and referral representatives to facilitate timely and effective actions and decisions.
3. Collaborates with Emergency Department and Behavioral Health Staff to promote continuity of care.
4. Maintains current knowledge and researches availability of community resources for social, emotional, or financial assistance.
5. Provides information and education to patient/family on community resources and options appropriate to the age of the patient served.
6. Utilizes communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills with patient/family, staff, healthcare team, and the community.
7. As the patient is discharged from the ED, communicate pertinent information to facilitate the patient’s transition to the next level of care.
8. Documents activities with entries that are consistent with meeting department/facility requirements and regulatory guidelines.
9. Required to work shifts that may include weekends and holidays.
10. Initiates contacts with agencies or support systems of Adult ED Patients and Behavioral Health Patients.
11. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment conferences and/or rounds, as needed.
12. Completes all required documentation fully and in a timely manner.
13. Participates in continuing education and applicable hospital mandatory training.
14. Performs other related duties as appropriate/assigned.
15. Completion of site-specific training as determined by Cape Fear Valley Health.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The following qualifications, or equivalent, are the minimum requirements to perform this job’s essential function.

EDUCATION AND FORMAL TRAINING:

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) or National Certified Peer Specialist Certification, (NCPSC) required.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience as a Peer Support Specialist- preferably involving collaboration with Emergency Medical Services

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of and experience collaborating with mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers and members of recovery support community members in Fayetteville and surrounding areas.   Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiation skills.  Effective written and verbal communication skills.  Knowledge of community resources.  Able to work with people of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.  Flexible, open-minded, and adaptable to change.  Able to prioritize and process multiple tasks/responsibilities.  Demonstrated ability to connect patients and families with appropriate services. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to see, hear, read, and have manual ability to use telephone and computer keyboard.    Must be able to effectively communicate orally to patients, family members, personnel, and physicians Much standing, walking, bending, and lifting.  Position may involve skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious material.