Peer Specialist

**Summary**:
As a Peer Specialist you would provide direct mental health service to clients in an emergency crisis inpatient outpatient community support program and residential settings. You would serve as a role model for clients and educate clients about self-help techniques and self-help group process; teach them effective coping strategies sometimes based on personal experience assist them in clarifying their goals for rehabilitation and recover; and help them to develop support systems. As a Peer Specialist you would perform a range of tasks designed to assist clients in regaining personal control over their lives and over their own recovery processed. You tasks would focus on facilitating the development of self-help skills support systems coping strategies and the increased hope and self-esteem that are central to recovery from psychiatric disability.

**Responsibilities**:
**MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
Provide opportunities for individuals receiving services to direct their own recovery process

Teach and support acquisition and utilization of skills needed to facilitate individual recovery

Promote the knowledge of available service options and choices

Promote the utilization of natural resources within the community

Facilitate the development of a sense of wellness and self worth

Be supportive of recovering person when in a crisis as part of the treatment team

Act as a role model to persons in recovery to inspire hope share life experiences and lessons learned as a person in recovery

Model/mentor recovery process and demonstrate coping skills

Engage individuals who may be at risk and provide stage appropriate Recovery education and supports e.g. usage of the leveling system and evidence based practices

Assist in the orientation process for persons who are new to receiving mental health and/or co-occurring disorders services

Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and competence and be trauma informed as relevant to the needs of individuals in recovery

Identify recovering persons abilities strengths and assets and assist them to recognize and use them

Assist individuals to identify their personal interests and goals

Educate and engage individuals in the Wellness Recovery Action Plan process as a means to recognize early triggers and signs of relapse and use of individual coping strategies as an alternative to more restrictive services

Facilitate Double Trouble 12 Step or other self-help groups for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders

Co-facilitate meetings to nurture a peer support culture e.g. community meetings peer council etc.

Assist individuals in develop and practicing the skills selected and defined on their rehabilitation/treatment plans. This may include offsite coaching sessions while the individual is attending community appointments or participating in activates e.g. social leisure and recreational activities and fostering spiritual connections with faith based organizations and participating in 12 Steps fellowships self-help and mutual support groups.

Support the individual in seeking to connect/reconnect with family friends and significant others and in learning how to improve or eliminate unhealthy relationships.

Participate in all meetings task forces advisory boards designated by regulatory bodies (BHDDH CMS and deemed status accreditation bodies)

22 hours of face to face contact per week

**Other information**:
**QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS**:
Be self identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who can relate to other who are not using those services

Have personal experience and knowledge of recovery

Have a high school diploma or GED

Have demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing

Have maintained within the last three (3) years at least 12 month of successful full or part time paid or voluntary work experience (not necessarily consecutive) or one year post-secondary education totaling 24 credit hours

Have completed and passed a Peer Specialist certification program approved by the Department

**NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS**:
Attend trainings on relevant topics such as substance abuse and psychiatric rehabilitation.

Participate in and complete all CBH mandatory in-services

Keep supervisory informed of all potential problematic situation/concerns/issues

Keep supervisor and team members informed about individuals strengths accomplishments and obstacles they are experiencing in obtaining their recovery goals

Meet with supervisor at least one hour per week with a minimum of 3 contacts

Mobile staff require 6 hours of supervision before working off site independently

**JOB KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY**:
Be able to establish trusting relationships with their peers

Be able to work independently and as a member of a team

Be able to work evenings and weekends

Have good knowledge of citys public transit system

Be able to use computer to record services or be willing to learn

May need