Peer Support Specialist III (STAR Mercer)

Position Details
Position Information
Recruitment/Posting Title
Peer Support Specialist III (STAR Mercer)
Job Category
Staff & Executive - Healthcare
Department
UBHC-Case Management Srvcs-PISC
Overview
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC's 1,060 experienced behavioral health professionals and support staff are dedicated to treatment, prevention, and education. UBHC, one of the largest providers of behavioral health care in the country, has a budget of $260 million and has 15 sites throughout New Jersey. Services are readily accessible and include: inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach and case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school.
Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special needs children and child protective service workers. In FY2016, UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and touched the lives of 19,441 individual callers through peer support. In addition, UBHC is the primary mental health training resource for the New Jersey departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Corrections, delivering 16,000 trainings each year.
Posting Summary
Rutgers The State University is seeking a Peer Support Specialist III in the Community Outreach Services - Support Team for Addiction Recovery (STAR) of Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare.
The Peer Support Specialist III (Recovery) is a member of the Support Team for Addiction Recovery (STAR) program who will provide non-clinical recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorders (OUD). The Peer Support Specialist III (Recovery) uses lived experience and basic peer support skills to engage and empower individuals served to support their wellness. Offers insight into the experience of living with a mental and/or substance use disorder and relevant recovery supports in order to assist staff in identifying program environments and treatment approaches that are conducive to recovery.
Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Engages individuals served in a collaborative supportive working relationship.
• Uses his/her own lived experiences with mental health and/or substance use recovery as a vehicle to establish rapport and build relationships with the person served and/or family member(s).
• Shares experiential knowledge, hope, and peer recover support skills.
• Maintains relationships with the individual in order to assist him/her in the treatment engagement and recovery process.
• Reinforces, guides, and assures individuals served that recovery is possible, and is built on multiple strengths, coping abilities, and the resources of each individual.
• Visits individuals served in their home throughout the county as per schedule developed with supervisor.

FLSA NonexemptGrade
177
Salary Details
Minimum Salary
26.730
Mid Range Salary
27.230
Maximum Salary
28.050
Offer Information
The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits
Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, based on position, which includes:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discounts programs

For detailed information on benefits and eligibility, please visit: .Position Status Full Time
Working Hours (per week)
Standard Hours
40.00
Daily Work Shift
Work Arrangement
Union Description
Teamsters 97
Payroll Designation
PeopleSoft
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment
Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility
PERS
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least three (3) years of experience in the guiding principles of recovery is required.

Certifications/Licenses

• Must be certified or eligible for certification as a Peer Support Specialist or Family Advocate.
• If not certified, documented demonstrated progress toward completion of Peer Support Certification within 12 months is required.
• Valid driver's license.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must attend a three (3) day Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) State mandated training that delineates peer role functions, competencies, responsibilities and includes an orientation to DMHAS multiple treatment initiatives.
• Must possess own vehicle or alternate means of transportation for use to outreach individuals served.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's Degree preferred.
• Experience with community based service provisions to adults with addictions preferred.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) is preferred.

Equipment UtilizedPhysical Demands and Work Environment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements.
• Ability to speak clearly and write proficiently.
• Hearing is essential.
• The ability to focus on the task at hand despite numerous interruptions.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and document into an electronic medical record.
• The employee spends much time driving, walking, standing, bending and talking with individuals served in the community located throughout the County.
• Transport of individuals served in state vehicles.
• The employee can expect to lift up to 30 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment includes both office based services and community outreach.
• Individual wellness checks and crisis intervention required.
• Subject to unpredictable situations, patient crises, to include behavioral, medical and psychiatric.
• Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors.
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens that requires use of personal protective equipment.

Special ConditionsPosting Details
Posting Number
24ST2130
Posting Open Date
09/05/2024
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus
Piscataway (RBHS)
City
Mercer County
State
NJ
Location Details
Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.
Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: