MEDI-CALPEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Recovery capital is... - ✔✔The total resources that a person has available to find
and maintain their recovery
✔✔What best describes a person with co-occurring disorders? - ✔✔A person living with
both mental health and substance use issues
✔✔What is the goal of the harm reduction model for substance use challenges? -
✔✔Decreased overdose risk and improved access to systems of care
✔✔Medication-Assisted Recovery is... - ✔✔Primarily used by opiate users to reduce
cravings, relieve withdrawal symptoms and restore balance to the brain caused by
addiction
✔✔Two people at the drop-in center are in a heated argument over which radio station
to listen to. They are beginning to threaten each other. How can the Peer Support
Specialist de-escalate the situation?
a. - ✔✔Separate them, support each person and involve them in the solution
, ✔✔Every night as the peer center closes, there is tension and arguments as people
pack up their things. How can the Peer Support Specialist prepare for this recurring
situation? - ✔✔Make sure everyone knows the center's schedule; announce closing
time 45 minutes previous; offer to help people with their things; let everyone know they
are welcome back the next day.
✔✔The California Department of Health Care Services launched California Advancing
and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). Its goals: "Move to a more integrated and people-
centered approach to care for people with the most complex health and social needs."
Integrated approaches mean... - ✔✔Peoples' health, mental health and substance use
needs will be addressed in an integrated fashion.
✔✔What does the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services require for Peer Support
Specialists to be able to bill Medi-Cal? - ✔✔Training/certification, ongoing continuing
education, coordination within plan of care and supervision by mental health
professional
✔✔Which of the following is something a Peer Support Specialist would do? - ✔✔Help a
person set goals for work, life or relationships in an inpatient facility
✔✔What are some examples of skills which Peer Support Specialists need? - ✔✔Goal-
setting, listening, enhancing natural supports
✔✔One major role of peer support is to... - ✔✔Relieve isolation
✔✔A consumer with a mood disorder tells the Peer Support Specialist they are starting
to experience symptoms of an oncoming manic episode. What action would the Peer
Support Specialist take to support the consumer? - ✔✔Advise consumer to speak to
their doctor.
✔✔A consumer expresses they want to give the Peer Support Specialist a gift to show
their appreciation for the help they have received. How would the Peer Support
Specialist respond? - ✔✔Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining
the gift.
✔✔A Peer Support Specialist would be committing a boundary violation if they... -
✔✔Accompany someone in care to an appointment.
✔✔It would be unethical for a Peer Support Specialist to... - ✔✔Become romantically
involved with someone to whom they are providing support.
✔✔Professional development is... - ✔✔An ongoing process to update skills and
knowledge.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Recovery capital is... - ✔✔The total resources that a person has available to find
and maintain their recovery
✔✔What best describes a person with co-occurring disorders? - ✔✔A person living with
both mental health and substance use issues
✔✔What is the goal of the harm reduction model for substance use challenges? -
✔✔Decreased overdose risk and improved access to systems of care
✔✔Medication-Assisted Recovery is... - ✔✔Primarily used by opiate users to reduce
cravings, relieve withdrawal symptoms and restore balance to the brain caused by
addiction
✔✔Two people at the drop-in center are in a heated argument over which radio station
to listen to. They are beginning to threaten each other. How can the Peer Support
Specialist de-escalate the situation?
a. - ✔✔Separate them, support each person and involve them in the solution
, ✔✔Every night as the peer center closes, there is tension and arguments as people
pack up their things. How can the Peer Support Specialist prepare for this recurring
situation? - ✔✔Make sure everyone knows the center's schedule; announce closing
time 45 minutes previous; offer to help people with their things; let everyone know they
are welcome back the next day.
✔✔The California Department of Health Care Services launched California Advancing
and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). Its goals: "Move to a more integrated and people-
centered approach to care for people with the most complex health and social needs."
Integrated approaches mean... - ✔✔Peoples' health, mental health and substance use
needs will be addressed in an integrated fashion.
✔✔What does the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services require for Peer Support
Specialists to be able to bill Medi-Cal? - ✔✔Training/certification, ongoing continuing
education, coordination within plan of care and supervision by mental health
professional
✔✔Which of the following is something a Peer Support Specialist would do? - ✔✔Help a
person set goals for work, life or relationships in an inpatient facility
✔✔What are some examples of skills which Peer Support Specialists need? - ✔✔Goal-
setting, listening, enhancing natural supports
✔✔One major role of peer support is to... - ✔✔Relieve isolation
✔✔A consumer with a mood disorder tells the Peer Support Specialist they are starting
to experience symptoms of an oncoming manic episode. What action would the Peer
Support Specialist take to support the consumer? - ✔✔Advise consumer to speak to
their doctor.
✔✔A consumer expresses they want to give the Peer Support Specialist a gift to show
their appreciation for the help they have received. How would the Peer Support
Specialist respond? - ✔✔Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining
the gift.
✔✔A Peer Support Specialist would be committing a boundary violation if they... -
✔✔Accompany someone in care to an appointment.
✔✔It would be unethical for a Peer Support Specialist to... - ✔✔Become romantically
involved with someone to whom they are providing support.
✔✔Professional development is... - ✔✔An ongoing process to update skills and
knowledge.
