Peer Specialist

Newport County Community Mental Health Center•Middletown, RI

12d

About The Position

Newport Mental Health (NMH) is a progressive high-energy organization that uses state of the art person-centered recovery approach to help individuals recover from mental illness and substance use disorders. NMH extends its trauma informed evidence-based services to children, adolescents, families, and adults. Our services vary from outreach, specialized program, mental health, school-based therapy, substance use therapy, community-based therapy, and outpatient clinic. For more information visit our website: www.newportmentalhealth.org WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR… Mission- Aligned: You are excited to be a part of Newport Mental Health’s mission to improve the lives of our clients living and working in Newport County by providing the highest quality of care. Ally: You intentionally foster belonging, personal growth, and empowerment for all. You’re a strong advocate for the BIPOC, LQBTQIA+, Woman, Veteran, and other underrepresented communities. Solution Orientated: You are driven to think of different approaches to narrow the gap which leads to positive and effective changes. Time Management: You are a conscious planner and a thoughtful decision maker who adheres to deadlines.

Requirements

Active Peer Recovery Specialist Certification in good standing with the RICRB or the ability to earn Peer Recovery Specialist Certification within a year of employment.
Minimum high school diploma or equivalent.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to travel within the local community.
A minimum of 2 years of solid and stable recovery with a commitment to self-care.
Caring and empathetic, with a desire to help others in need of recovery support.
The ability to use appropriate self-disclosure to develop trusting sustainable relationships with the people they support.
Self-motivated and independent, with the ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines and manage own time.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to professionally communicate verbally and in writing in a variety of settings and with diverse individuals and groups.
Ability to work in a culturally competent way with diverse populations.
A consistent desire to grow and learn, with the ability to apply creative and critical thinking.
A commitment to upholding the ethical standards of Peer Support.

Responsibilities

Provide practical help and mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem solving and direct assistance to help clients obtain the necessities of daily living.
On an individual basis these may include medical and dental health care; legal advocacy and link with legal services; financial support such as entitlements (SSI, SSDI, veterans' benefits) and housing subsidies (HUD Section 8); money management assistance, such as access to payee services if required, and transportation.
Identify strategies to develop trusting and stable relationships with clients served by the assigned team.
Meet with clients individually in the community or at their homes or in groups at the center.
In conjunction with client, develop recovery goals, identify barriers, and establish plans to achieve them.
Support and assist clients in problem solving around Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as well as health and wellness promotion.
Participate in weekly individual and monthly group supervision to learn therapeutic and problem-solving techniques.
Develop a personal recovery plan for continued personal health and wellness goals.
Participate in daily and weekly team meetings to review client visits, communicate appointments, and coordinate care.
Build upon personal and professional development goals via NMHC sponsored and external training opportunities.
Having experienced a severe mental illness, the peer specialist assists the other members of the team to understand the clients' perspective and subjective experience.
Maintain certification(s) in good standing.