We named our company firsthand because we believe that lived, or "first-hand," experience is incredibly valuable to gain trust and build relationships. The firsthand Guide is a critical role in our peer-led model, responsible for outreach, engagement, and ongoing support of individuals living with serious mental illness to achieve and maintain behavioral and physical health and wellness. Trust is an essential element in successfully engaging people who have withdrawn from, or never received, services and supports that can improve their quality of life.
The firsthand guide (a blended CPRS and Community Health Worker role) applies a hands-on approach to outreach, engagement, and ongoing support to address health-related social needs (HRSN) to improve self-management of chronic conditions and navigation of the healthcare system. The firsthand Guide leverages their knowledge of the community and shared life experience to inform their interactions with the community members we serve. They serve as an essential member of the multi-disciplinary care team by partnering closely and collaborating with other firsthand roles such as the Health Guide (e.g. Nurse Practitioner) and the central support team (Benefit Support Specialists) to drive social stability, sustained recovery, and optimal health outcomes for the communities we serve.
Focusing on support and services that promote whole health and reinforce autonomy, the firsthand Guide will help empower individuals to participate in their own care. Firsthand Guides are empathetic, supportive, and highly trained and experienced individuals with first-hand knowledge of living with a psychiatric and/or substance use disorder and are familiar with the intricacies of navigating a complex system of healthcare and community resources.
This description is intended to cover the high level of the roles and responsibilities of a firsthand Guide. However, it is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change.
Job Specifics
As a firsthand Guide, you will:
Perform community outreach to individuals with serious mental illness, including visiting their homes and other locations within the local community where they spend time, such as clubhouses, drop-in centers, homeless shelters, hospitals, and emergency departments.
Empower individuals to identify and pursue their personal recovery goals by modeling and teaching safe and healthy coping strategies.
Engage in care coordination to identify health-related social needs and connect individuals with local resources to address needs.
Assist with gathering information required for obtaining benefits and services and facilitate warm hand-offs to other team members for assistance in navigating SSI/SSDI benefits and self-management support.
Address immediate follow-up needs identified by care team providers such as hospital post-discharge follow-up and support.
Promote and monitor individuals success in adhering to their personally approved care plan and provide motivational interviewing support for their adherence to their informed medication and treatment choices.
Requirements
You will be a good fit if you have:
Empathy, compassion, and approachability
A flexible, growth mindset. You embrace change and new ways of trying things
Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills
Personal knowledge of recovery
Patience and persistence
A desire to help people in need and support their path to wellness
Comfort working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Intermediate computer skills
Experience
The experience you bring to this role includes:
Required: Lived experience with SMI and/or SUD
Qualified as a Community Health Worker OR eligible and willing to complete coursework within first 3 months and pursue certification as soon as possible but no later than 1 year of employment
Ability to operate a vehicle including a driver's license that is active and in good standing; must be eligible to drive under Company insurance policy
Intermediate working knowledge using Google Workspace Programs specifically Gmail, Sheets, and Docs
Exceptional communication & interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with internal and external customers and stakeholders
Decision making skills regarding own work approach/priorities, and work assignments, standards and resources
Ability to multi-task and work in a very fast-paced environment
Strong understanding and respect of all cultures and demographic diversity
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience performing direct in-person outreach and engaging individuals with SMICurrently holds Peer Recovery Specialist Certification
Expertise in recovery education and coaching
Knowledge of a whole health approach to peer support
Knowledge of a trauma-informed approach to peer support
Knowledge of local community resources, behavioral health system, and criminal justice system, including mental health and drug courts
Desire to learn more about a broad range of health conditions
Physical Requirements:
While performing the essential duties of this job, employees are required to frequently stand, sit, walk, crouch and use their hands to type, feel, handle and pick up objects
Employees are occasionally required to climb stairs and balance; reach with their arms; stoop, bend, kneel, and lift up to 15 pounds
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions