Peer Specialist

• Utilize experience as a recipient of behavioral health services with a willingness to share personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit program enrollees.

• Develop a partnership with guests experiencing crisis utilizing trauma-informed, recovery oriented, intentional peer support.
• Promote the provision of a safe, comfortable, secure and trusting environment where guests are listened to and respected by staff; practice the Intentional Peer Support {IPS}
• Draw on knowledge and skills acquired from personal experience with the behavioral health system with a focus on guest's personal recovery process;
• Create a sense of community through the mutual sharing of lived experiences and offer encouragement and support to participate in daily activities within the BCR.
• Assist with pre-registration process for both individuals referred from hospitals, other treatment providers and those who self-refer;
• Assist with intake and registration of new guests, including an explanation of services and expectations, a tour of the premises, introduction to other staff and guests.
• Assist and collaborate with Health Home and other community provider staff when appropriate to help guests identify, plan for and realize short-term personal goals and priorities while in the Crisis Program.
• Facilitate individual and group-based educational, recovery, wellness and skill building opportunities including: wellness self-management, WRAP, peer support, harm reduction, and other social or leisure activities.
• Follow-up with guests to monitor and support progress toward goal-achievement
• Advocate for and facilitate access to needed health care services, proactively addressing potential barriers such as missed appointments, transportation, fear and stigma, and communication with professional staff.
• Assist guests with taking care of their ADL needs and participate in the maintenance of a clean-living environment.
• Responsible for timely and accurate documentation of interactions with guests, services provided, critical information and events, contacts with collaterals and referrals, as required by SUS policies and the OMH Crisis Program
• Provide household upkeep duties as needed.
• Support with meal preparations for guests and assist guests with accessing snacks, toiletries and food items daily and encourage guest participation.
• Participate in data collection and recording related to outcomes, outreaches and other data tracking collection.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, trainings, case conferences and other relevant meetings as required by SUS.
• Provides flexible evening, night, weekend and holiday coverage.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Have lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model
• Graduate of core peer specialist training program, preferred but not required at immediate hire. Must obtain within probation period.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills including empathic listening, responding
• Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel
• Bilingual- Spanish highly preferred

S:US IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Join a team of employees who care about the wellbeing of others. We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values: respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement. From health and wellness resources to generous PTO, professional development, and more, explore all that we offer on our Benefits Page and see how S:US invests in you. 

We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values: respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information and including all other statuses protected by Federal, State and Local laws. S:US is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities, including allowance of the use of services animals. To request reasonable accommodation or if you believe such a request was improperly handled or denied, contact the Leave Team at [email protected].