Peer Support Specialist I

True North Recovery Inc. is a special place. At TNR, we hire character and train skill. At TNR, the work we do is personal. We are comprised of people with lived experience. We have walked through or alongside recovery in our lives and are driven to serve, to help, and to heal. We cannot control the outcomes for our clients, but what we can control is if they feel the love. Our Culture is the foundation of our work. Before moving forward with your application, please read the following highlights of testimonies from TNR staff and answer the following questions, these questions are more important than your resume, education and experience.

• I believe that for most who work here this is not just a job, it is personal.
• Our culture is that of healing and accountability. When I think of TNR I think redemption of life.
• TNR is a judgment free, it’s a place where flawed, broken people reach out to help other flawed, broken people. It's one beggar telling other beggars where he found bread. "Hope Dealer" is the closest to putting the culture in a nutshell. The genuine care, respect and love for our clients is reflected by the tireless efforts, and the desire to make sure the clients get what they need to improve their quality of life. TNR is a port of call for people seeking a new direction in life, it is a stopping point for those on a journey to get their bearings, pick up supplies and find a new path with guidance to travel it.
• True North Recovery has a culture that in my opinion is quiet infectious. From staff to clients alike we are all there with one mission in mind. To say “We are a family,” would not begin to do justice to the atmosphere True North Recovery has built. Clients receive (most for the first time in a very long time) unconditional support, and love while also receiving knowledge and recovery based experience from OTHER PEOPLE IN LONG TERM RECOVERY. True North Recovery has embodied such an environment that promotes hope, healing, and purpose. This environment strives to be ever evolving, as both staff and clients receive constructive accountability and knowledge on how to be better individuals who strive to help ourselves and the community. True North Recovery is creating a culture of Recovery Soldiers so to say, we are only going to grow and multiply. From the mess we carry a message.
• Our culture is as simple as this. We show up. We value what we do because all of us at one point or another went through this or stood by their close family members struggle through their use/recovery. We bring humility to our community, we are real, addiction is real and having the right resources and support available for individuals of all kinds to utilize is vital in every community. When someone falls, we hold out our hand because we know what the ground tastes like. We know what loss feels like. We know what failure feels like. We know what it feels like to feel like we do not matter. We have been there, seen that.
• TNR's culture is about walking next to the client.
• I really appreciate the flexibility in roles I have seen from supervisors, doing any level of work needed to get the job done and not feeling above a certain role, as well as giving people trust to others for big roles despite them not having a title or degree. I feel like it is always fun, even with small interactions people are laughing and smiling. Overall, I feel the family culture, people caring for one another no matter how big or small their role.
• The biggest aspect of the TNR culture that stands out to me is relationships – building those relationships and more importantly, knowing what to do in order to maintain them and be able to make amends when needed – the most important part of that for me personally is trust. It feels like a family here at TNR, and that is something I want to protect. We ARE different than other agencies, and I think it is important for potential employees to know that. To me our culture is about building one another up, providing constructive feedback to help one another grow, and leaning on one another during turbulent times – For me personally, our culture comes down to building and maintaining meaningful relationships.
• When I think of True North the first thing I think about is family and Unity! Connection. it's so easy to want to come to work here is because I feel like I am coming to work with my family, with people that I love and care about. People I know that are going to lift me up and encourage me to be better. I feel that love translates over into the care that we provide our clients.
• Adaptability comes to mind when defining our culture. As we have grown, we have faced many challenges and have had to work together as a team. The challenges have shown that the team we have been able to lean on each other and work together to help the population we serve. I believe we have a team that believes in TNR’s mission, vision, and values.
• When I think of TNR I think of family, love, and service.
• What anchored me in my love for TNR was the forward thinking and honoring all paths to recovery, and TNR really broke that ideal wide open. TNR shattered societal norms and created an innovative pathway for people to get help when they need it.
• I feel like everyone has a voice, a place, and value.
• I feel we have a great team with diverse experiences to be able to speak wellness, faith, recovery and hope to our clients. I love working here!!!
• I’ve never felt more valued as a human before working with my people at True North Recovery.
• We’ve been there and know how important every story is- connection saves lives, and that is the heart of what we do.

Job Title:

Peer Support Specialist I

Reports To:

Program Services Director

Department:

Behavioral Health Services

Travel Required:

Fairbanks and surrounding area

Location:

The Bridge @True North Recovery

724 27th Ave. Suite 2

Fairbanks, AK 99701

Position Type:

Full-Time

Level/Salary Range:

DOE

Job Description: Offering and receiving help, based on shared understanding, respect and mutual empowerment between people in similar situations.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides direct peer support to clients engaged in recovery services to include, linkages to employment, education, housing, community resources.

• Assists clients in setting and pursing their recovery goals.

• Functions as a role model to clients.

• Serves as a liaison to providers and treatment team.

• Develops and maintains relationships with clients while maintaining healthy and professional boundaries.

• Provides motivational interviewing, community living skills, social, and emotional support.

• Assists clients in building social and interpersonal skills that will enhance employment opportunities.

• Helps clients understand and employ recovery strategies.

• Maintains an active awareness of the peer support services that are available in the state of Alaska.

• Works to motivate clients through positive means, highlighting strengths and resources.

• Models and teaches clients vital life skills that will aid in their success.

• Advocates for clients in treatment setting and within the community.

• Shares lived experiences and assists in community, relationship and skill building.

• Interacts with the clients in a manner conducive to their safety, dignity, privacy, and security.

• Attends staff meetings and works collaboratively with other staff in case staffing/review

• Engages in all assigned peer outreach and service activities in the community.

• Must have strong writing skills with attention to detail and accuracy of fact reporting.

• Completes timely documentation in client’s EHR, using DAP note format for each recovery service provided. All documentation is to comply with overseeing state or federal guidelines.

• Demonstrates ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Under guidance of Peer Support Supervisor, will promote and provide peer support programs and community support groups.

• Administer UAs and breathalyzers as needed.

• Weekly clinical supervision.

• Exhibits competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills.

• Attends weekly house meetings.

• Schedules weekly with clients at house meeting.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Ability to obtain Peer Support Certification with the State of Alaska within 3 years of hire date.

• Lived experience in addiction recovery, and 6 months continuous sobriety prior to hire.

• Employment is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory state and federal background check.

• Combination of education, experience, and licensure accepted.

• Active in personal recovery by participating in practices that support self-care, health and overall well- being.

• Valid Alaska driver’s license.

• Use of personal vehicle.

• Must be able to pass alcohol and drug screen.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Basic understanding of substance abuse level of care as defined by ASAM.

• Oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize and schedule work.

• Knowledge of health and safety regulations.

• Working knowledge of HIPAA.

• Maintain current knowledge of program rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Correct usage of grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

• Ability to work independently and seek supervision appropriately.

COMPETENCIES

• Engages peers in collaborative and caring relationships.

• Provides support.

• Shares lived experiences of recovery.

• Personalizes peer support.

• Supports recovery planning.

• Links to resources, services and supports.

• Provides information about skills related to health, wellness and recovery.

• Helps peers to manage crisis.

• Values communication.

• Supports collaboration and teamwork.

• Promotes leadership and advocacy.

• Promotes growth and development.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The relationship between you and the True North Recovery Inc. is referred to as "employment at will." This means that your employment can be terminated at any time for any reason, with or without cause, with or without notice, by you or the True North Recovery Inc. . No representative of True North Recovery Inc. has authority to enter into any agreement contrary to the foregoing "employment at will" relationship. You understand that your employment is "at will," and that you acknowledge that no oral or written statements or representations regarding your employment can alter your at-will employment status.