FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Starting range:$17.33 - $18.75 per hour
Location: 90 E. 4th St, Dunkirk, NY 14048
SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
The Peer Specialist operates within a team of professionals who deliver services to consumers of Behavioral Health Services. The Peer Specialist delivers peer support services with rehabilitation and recovery focus, with a primary goal of connecting individuals to community based recovery supports consistent with the treatment/recovery plan. People with personal experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use treatment or of personal recovery are encouraged to apply. Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional language and behavior reflecting such values are required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Assist individual's mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment to participate in diverse, person-centered, self - directed services and activities that promote empowerment and robust recovery.
· Provide direct contact, outreach, mentoring, systems navigation, community oversight and crisis support as needed to individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders diagnoses.
· Assist individuals with finding educational opportunities, employment, social activities and home health integration of services
· Work towards participant's recovery goals, individually and in groups in various locations/environments.
· Must be cognizant of all relevant employment, educational, housing, entitlement and social supports in the community and proactively facilitate connection to these services with participants as needed.
· Will be available to transport consumers to appointments and/or community resources when needed
· Engage individuals to inform about the changes happening to Medicaid.
· Works in collaboration with the other program staff and partners to identify agencies to conduct outreach
· Travels to numerous locations either to engage members or to support the recovery of individuals we work with; continues with individuals after discharge to identify and engage with a range of community-based supports;
· Completes detailed written record of activities;
· Attends trainings as required and assigned by supervisor
· Maintains personal wellness.
· Schedule and assigned duties are subject to change based on the needs of the program and the clients we serve.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
· Working knowledge of community resources, including social clubs, and peer support activities.
· Ability to identify potential crisis situations and convey this information to a supervisor in a timely and appropriate manner.
· Must be a current or former recipient of mental health and/or substance use disorder services.
· Must possess the ability to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with mental illness and substance use disorders, and maintain respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment.
· Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.
QUALIFICATIONS:
OR
AND
AND
Benefits include: