Peer Support Specialist

CrossWinds Counseling & Wellness • Emporia, KS

7d

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist provides quality, consumer-centered peer support services using a rehabilitation and recovery approach. The role supports clients in managing psychiatric symptoms, adapting to life situations, developing independent living skills, and preventing or reducing hospitalizations. As a present or former consumer of mental health services, the specialist supports clients’ individualized treatment, recovery, and personal growth goals through individual and group services, mentoring, and community-based activities. The position works primarily with clients in the community and within the agency’s residential facilities, with regular travel within the service area. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position reports to the Peer Support Services Manager and supervises no positions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a consumer of mental health services with at least one year in the active stage of recovery, defined as not requiring services more intensive than medication services, individual therapy, or group therapy.
• Ability to work with people with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of recovery practice and wellness philosophy.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as a member of a therapeutic team.
• Must complete Peer Support Specialist certification training.
• Computer experience with Microsoft Office programs and basic computer fluency.
• Must receive satisfactory results from KBI, DCF child abuse registry, adult abuse registry, and motor vehicle report checks before hire.
• Ability to read, write, comprehend, and speak English; interpret written materials; write reports and business correspondence; and effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Must become certified in Managing Aggressive Behaviors (MAB), which includes training in restraint and physical intervention techniques for use as a last resort.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in the health and human services field.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in achieving individualized treatment, recovery, and personal growth goals through quality peer support services.
• Provide direct peer support through individual and small-group sessions to promote community integration skills; serve as a mentor and positive role model.
• Help clients develop support and information networks with people who have similar experiences and facilitate the sharing of lived experiences.
• Help clients identify, secure, and maintain community resources, including connections with one another and consumer-run organizations.
• Provide leadership as clients practice new skills in the community.
• Guide clients in regaining the ability to make independent choices and take a proactive role in treatment, including raising questions or concerns with providers and articulating goals for individualized treatment plans.
• Help clients identify and respond to or avoid triggers that cause functional impairments by sharing and supporting the use of recovery tools.
• Complete the Wellness Action Recovery Plan (WRAP for Work) for personal development and to better assist clients in using WRAP in their recovery.
• Provide and coordinate referrals and services among community agencies, employment contacts, and the organization.
• Maintain complete and accurate client-service records and submit required appointment sheets, progress notes, treatment plans, client status reports, timesheets, and other work-related paperwork on time and in the required format.
• Attend professional workshops and seminars to maintain and improve professional skills and meet licensure or certification requirements.

What This Job Offers

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