Peer Specialist

Community Reach Center • Thornton, CO

31d • $24 - $26

About The Position

The Peer Specialist is an integral member of Community Reach Center’s AWARE Center Program. The purpose of the Peer Specialist is to promote recovery by using their lived experience, skills learned through training, and assisting others by sharing their knowledge of the mental health system. The Peer Specialist navigates on the premise that a person with mental health issues can and do recover and live successful lives. The Peer Specialist assists consumers to articulate personal goals for recovery through one-on-one meetings and group sessions. Additionally, the Peer Specialist will have other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Program Manager.

Requirements

• Requires High School Degree or equivalent with a bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Solid understanding and skill in the Colorado Peer Specialist Core Competencies, including knowledge of mental illnesses and trauma-informed support.
• 2+ years of experience working with recovery and adults who have a mental illness, particularly those individuals diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness.
• 2+ years of experience working in behavioral healthcare.
• Works with integrity and ethically; inspires the trust of others; takes initiative and assumes responsibility; takes initiative to get to the right people and to resolve matters quickly and effectively.
• Excellent judgement, decision-making, and problem-solving skills; ability to think through likely cause of problems; escalates issues to management appropriately; involves others appropriately in decision-making.
• Ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently; be flexible and work within the system; be able and willing to take on and learn additional and different responsibilities; work in a dynamic environment and adapt easily to change; demonstrate consistently positive attitude toward change; work well under stressful situations and maintain composure during crises; effectively manage pressure, not easily frustrated.
• Able to effectively communicate (verbally, written, and interpersonally) with poise and professionalism in highly charged and stressful situations; express disagreements professionally; work towards conflict resolution; facilitate group discussions; effectively and assertively present one’s point of view without alienating others; communicate openly with supervisor.
• Demonstrate ability to understand a variety of consumers including those from different cultural backgrounds; work with diverse populations; show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Ability to model by example via recovery-oriented behaviors.
• Organization, time management, and clinical skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with others and exercise good judgement when in sensitive situations.
• Proficient keyboarding, PC, and internet skills.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance at such level as determined by Supervisor of Staff.
• Valid Colorado Driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and keyboard.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting is required.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required.

Nice To Haves

• Peer Specialist Training certificate that includes the Colorado State Core Competencies, preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support services: Builds relationships with consumers using lived experience, peer specialist and other training; support peer members as needed to promote recovery, presenting personal recovery experiences in a positive manner, without glorifying problem experiences.
• Meets with consumers to create disposition plans and personal safety plans while also addressing the fears and concerns related to psychosis, trauma, and crisis.
• Partners with integrated treatment team to develop and maintain a database of community resources available to consumers and collaborates to provide additional treatment support when clinically appropriate.
• Works in a team and individually to promote recovery and assist clients in problem solving, decision making, and realistic goal setting. Support includes advocacy, education, and mentoring, as needed.
• Group participation & facilitation: Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational groups, support groups, and activities that focus on SAMHSA’s 8 dimensions of wellness that promote hope, socialization, and recovery, and improve daily living and coping skills.
• Documentation: Ensures that member contact is documented, allowing adequate time for same-day documentation of member interaction.
• Complete paperwork as required by the State of Colorado or Community Reach Center.
• Write and submit reports in a timely manner.
• Other: Uses identified agency key performance indicators to track success, engagement, and other factors leading to successful completion of treatment.
• Report to individual and team supervision weekly.
• Utilize crisis management, such as Mental Health First Aid, as needed.
• Trainings, including online trainings.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• 401K with matching
• Wellness Program
• Health Insurance Reimbursement Allocation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Internal Opportunities & Free trainings
• Shift differential pay when applicable
• Bilingual stipend pay
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and a balanced lifestyle
• Opportunity for cross-licensure sponsorship if eligible & applicable
• Excellent PTO & Paid Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Loan Forgiveness options including National Heath Service Corps, Colorado Health Service Corps and Public Student Loan Forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED