Writing with Purpose: Documentation Skills for Peer Workers

This 8-hour continuing education course equips Peer Support Workers with practical and ethical skills for effective documentation in behavioral health and human services settings. Participants will learn how to write strengths-based, recovery-oriented notes that reflect the peer role and support person-centered care. The training will explore the use of collaborative documentation techniques, review HIPAA and ethical guidelines, and introduce tools that enhance documentation practices, including AI, talk-to-text, and digital organization strategies. A core component of this course includes Healthcare Theatre, offering participants immersive practice with realistic scenarios to apply what they've learned in a safe and supportive environment. Ethical considerations and role integrity will be emphasized throughout.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the purpose and principles of effective documentation within peer support roles.
• Apply person-centered, strengths-based language in documentation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of collaborative documentation and how it supports shared decision-making.
• Identify ethical considerations in documentation, including confidentiality, role boundaries, and informed consent.
• Explain HIPAA guidelines as they relate to documentation and the use of digital tools.
• Utilize tools like AI writing aids, speech-to-text applications, and templates to support documentation.
• Distinguish the peer role from clinical roles in written documentation.
• Apply documentation skills through role-play and feedback using Healthcare Theatre scenarios.