Peer Specialist

Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC) is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to improving mental health in our community through advocacy, education, program development and the delivery of direct services. Our organization is looking for motivated individuals with a calling to help adults with mental illness by becoming a Per Diem Peer Specialist. Peer Specialist are dedicated to promoting the well-being of our consumers by:

• Providing supportive companionship for guests throughout their visit to house (interview, intake, arrival, stay and departure).

• Sharing personal recovery to encourage hope, wellness, personal growth and recovery.

• Modeling and supporting the belief that individuals can and will do better.

• Utilizing effective engagement skills to connect, use mutually shared insights to encourage problem solving and utilization of tools that will assist in lessening or alleviating current and future crisis.

• Giving non-judgmental active listening designed to meet individual “where they are at”.

• Helping maintain a clean, safe, and secure environment. Some cleaning may be involved.

• Providing telephone support to peers in the community.

• Facilitating self-help, support groups.

• Keeping accurate and timely records.

• Working cooperatively with respite team.

• Maintaining client confidentiality.

Ideal candidates are looking to make a difference and possess the following qualifications:

• Lived, experience and willingness to utilize personal experience to assist others in recovery.

• High School Diploma

• Six months to one year current or recent employment.

• Six months to one year part time or full time experience in delivery of direct services to mental health consumer/survivors (volunteer or paid), preferred.

• Three months first hand experience in self-help or peer directed services and/or peer support groups, preferred.

• Good oral and written communication skills.

• Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training preferred.

• Basic knowledge of community support services/resources/mental health service delivery system, preferred.

• Knowledge of consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement and peer run or peer driven services that incorporate recovery based philosophies.

• Ability to relate to both other survivors of mental illness and psychiatric diagnosis and mental health professionals.

• Basic Microsoft Suite skills (Word, Excel, Internet Explore, Outlook)

Rate: $17/hr