Certified Peer Specialist - Youth

The Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama, Inc.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Certified Youth Peer Support Partner
WAGE CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
SALARY GRADE: Certified Youth Peer Support Partner I, II, or III
DIVISION: Children’s Albany Clinic
HOURS: Part Time - 20 Hours Weekly - As Assigned
SUPERVISOR: Program Director, CTAC
POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None

Position Description:
The Youth Peer Support Specialist is an individual who has had personal experience (lived experience) with
mental health care services and will utilize those experiences to collaborate with, coach and challenge individuals
to view their life situations as an opportunity for growth and change. The Youth Peer Support Specialist will aid
mental health providers and youth to move toward attainment of their own life goals.

Responsibilities:
• Provide peer support to young adults ages 16 – 21 who are being served by sharing your own
experiences and building trusting relationships
• Offer support and guidance to young adults as they receive services and support from our organization
• Connect young adults to community supports, natural supports, additional programs
• Coordinate outreach and youth engagement efforts in the community
• Encourage young adults to identify goals and create action plans in tandem with the young adult’s
treatment team to reach them
• Foster hope and approach young adults’ skills from a strengths-based perspective
• Practice culturally responsive communication and interaction with young adults and their families and/or
natural supports
• Act as a resource and safe person for young adults to approach with questions, concerns, and
accomplishments
• Facilitate trainings and groups as scheduled and requested
• Attend staff and agency meetings, trainings, and others events as scheduled and approved by supervisor
• Complete daily notes and regular documentation as required by our organization’s guidelines

Education and Certification:
• Education: Must have High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Certificate/Licensure: Current Alabama driver's license and maintain a good driving record.
• Identification as having personal (lived experience) in mental health services or child welfare services
and/or systems

Minimum Expectations:
• Ability to relate well to clients, a multi-disciplinary staff and the community, ability to work with a team.
Must demonstrate and continue to show merit.
• Must read, understand, and abide by agency Policies and Procedures, Employee Handbook and Training

Expectations:
• Must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks, including
nights and weekends. Must be available to communicate with supervisors, clients, vendors and any other
person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and project goals.
• Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to,
attendance standards, work deadlines, and beginning and ending assignments on time.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have basic typing/computer processing skills
• Must have good organizational and time management skills
• Attend at minimum bi-monthly individual supervision with Program Manager and monthly group
supervision sessions with Clinical Director
• Performs other related duties as required. (Related duties as required are duties which may not be
specifically listed in the duties and responsibilities description, but are within the general occupational
series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s class of work.)
Training:
• Completion of a DMH approved Youth Peer Training Program.
• Professionally accepted management of aggressive/assaultive behavior and crisis intervention
techniques:
o The training must have been within the past 2 years, and the training must have been conducted
prior to working alone with youth.
• Infection control: Staff shall be trained prior to working with youth and annually thereafter.
• Initial training on the following topics:
o Diagnostic categories.
o Classes of psychotropic medications.
o Recovery orientation.
o Interaction with consumers and families.
• Abuse and neglect and all state laws pertaining to abuse and neglect including reporting required by the
Department of Human Resources. Training is required prior to working alone with youths and on an
annual basis.
• Tuberculosis training must be completed prior to working alone with youth and annually thereafter