Job Description
The Peer Recovery Specialist position provides non-clinical, person centered wellness focused support to engage consumer and visitors to the 401 Peer Center to promote use of the consumer's wellness recovery plans and strategies. The Peer Recovery Specialist shares their first hand lived experiences with recovery to inspire hope, increase engagement in treatment and in their communities and support consumers in articulating personal goals for wellness, recovery resiliency and self -advocacy. The Peer Recovery Specialist will function within the 401 Center's staffing team and will receive Individual Supervision with 401 Center Supervisor. Peer Recovery Specialists will have knowledge of the signs and symptoms of Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders and the ability to assist the individual to address symptoms using their individual wellness plan. Peer Recovery Specialists provide: Peer Support; serve as a consumer advocates; carry out wellness rehabilitation for mental health and substance use disorders and support functions; promote recovery from substance abuse and/or mental health conditions; promote employment, education, health, and community integration; and serve as a role models for personal recovery. Services carried out by the Peer Recovery Specialist include outreach, monitoring, advocacy, daily living support, and similar functions.
Starting Hourly Rate: $15.90--Depending on Experience
Responsibility
- Assists consumers/ visitors of the 401 Peer Center, with implementation of their wellness plans, general problem solving and development of skills to support consumers in maintaining stability and independence in the community.
- Links and educates individuals to needed services within their community. Develops and maintains community referral network.
- Assists consumers/visitors in developing self-directed strategies for wellness recovery and for periods of potential crisis, in order to empower individuals in taking a pro-active role in their treatment.
- Requires regular and consistent contact with individuals who have mental health and/or substance use conditions.
- In some instances, interaction with professionals from other agencies or service providers may be necessary, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Peer Recovery Specialists may have to initiate and maintain relationships with staff from law-enforcement, hospital systems, and other types of human service agencies and with informal community resources.
- Develops appropriate relationships, using good judgment and discretion, with a variety of individuals with mental health and/or substance use conditions in accordance with the Ethics statement from the Peer Supports Specialist Certification.
- Assists individuals who have challenging behaviors which may result in unpredictable or emergency situations. Peer Recovery Specialists must be accessible by telephone at home to manage client emergencies/crisis if needed.
- Ensures all required supervision, trainings and/or certifications are up to date and meet professional development and/or program needs.
- Certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist or working toward certification (i.e.: by being currently or recently enrolled in certification training).
- Commitment to being a role model for individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders or co-occurring illness.
- Ability and willingness to work with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders and co-occurring problems, their families/care givers, and other agencies.
- Personal experience with SUD and or mental illness and treatment and willingness to disclose.
- Willingness and ability to provide consumer perspective to clinical team.
- Working knowledge of substance abuse disorders as they co-occur with mental illness, and a basic knowledge of the criminal justice system.
- Education / understanding of the recovery model as it pertains to mental illness is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely (written and oral). Basic knowledge of personal computers and word processing. Manages time effectively in order to complete work within expected timeframes
- Must possess a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record must be maintained throughout employment (unless otherwise approved by agency). Must provide reliable transportation and a telephone.
- Must have an acceptable criminal history background and child protective services check upon hire and maintained throughout employment;
- Must have acceptable drug screen results upon hire.
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
- Must have a mental health or substance use disorder that has impacted your life for two years or more, and must identify a year in recovery.
- Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist or demonstrated work towards certification