This is a 1 year, term-limited position with potential for extension.
The ideal candidate will be part of our WHP Care Team.
Peer Specialists utilize participant-centered, trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and strengths-based approaches to empower individuals diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The peer collaborates with partners and other community-based service providers to ensure participants have barrier-free access to services. Care managers are knowledgeable in the many avenues of healing from trauma and substance use disorders and the HIV life cycle and transmission while implementing culturally responsive, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed care. This position reports directly to the WHP Team Lead, in collaboration with the WHP Program Manager.
Position Responsibilities:
- Understand and implement all required assessments, documentation, care plans, and reports by standards.
- Identify and connect participants with appropriate referrals to community mental health and supportive services providers and permanent housing resources.
- Basic understanding of HIV (transmission, life cycle, medications, etc.)
- Basic understanding of harm reduction theory.
- Provide non-judgmental support in which participants can explore their options and issues related to housing; ranging from external obstacles such as poverty to psychological obstacles such as long-term impacts of trauma.
- Meet participants in the office, in their homes, and/or community to provide needed support and assistance.
- Life skills education: psycho-educational groups and individual education.
- Referrals to support services that help support maintaining viral suppression (public benefits, housing, employment, in-home services, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, community resources for furniture/home goods, food banks, transportation services, etc.).
- Assist with accessing vital documents such as identification, birth certificates, social security cards, etc.
- Advocate for participants in landlord/tenant issues, and medical provider concerns, and help promote self-efficacy.
- Understand and implement culturally responsive, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed care.
Other Responsibilities Include:
- Attend all required meetings.
- Obtain all necessary and required supervision and training.
- Maintain self-care.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Personal or professional HIV experience is strongly preferred.
- Working understanding of HIV transmission and life cycle, harm reduction theory, and trauma-informed services.
- Desire to obtain Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) certification; training and supervision included.
- Valid ID and vehicle insurance.
- Employee is required to be present in the workplace on a regular and reliable basis, at least 4 days per week.
- Normal work hours are M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm; however, occasional evening and/or weekend assignments may occur.
- Experience working with a diverse population with behavioral health, substance, and mental health needs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
Salary: $50,000
While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of this position, management reserves the right to revise the job description as necessary to ensure program success.
The Empowerment Program is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.
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