Peer Support Specialist

Purpose:

• This member of the Wellness Alliance multidisciplinary team has experience as a person who has lived with a mental illness and is willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and the persons they serve.
• The Peer Specialist functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, disability management, and the persistence required by people to have a satisfying life.
• Collaborates to promote a peer culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each person’s point-of-view, experiences and preferences. Responsible for maximizing opportunities for choice, self-determination and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation and support services.
• Provides peer counseling, recovery education and consultation to program participants, families, and team staff; acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance abuse services, education support and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the supervision of clinical staff.

Supervision Received:

• Receives supervision from the Peer Specialist Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised:

• N/A

Qualifications:

• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist
• May have a college degree in the human services field or a high school diploma, or have at least two years of paid or volunteer work experience with adults with a mental illness; or any combination of experience, education or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required.
• Self-knowledge to manage his/her own mental illness and be well along in his/her own recovery.
• Skills and competence to establish supporting trusting relationships with people with mental illnesses and respect for peoples’ rights and personal preferences is essential.
• Good oral, written, and computer communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a focused team.

Scope:

• Frequent talking and listening.
• May require crisis intervention in emergency situations.
• Light lifting and/or carrying, not to exceed 25 lbs.
• Local travel required.
• Flexibility in scheduling and available to do 24-hour on-call coverage.

Horizon House, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer