Peer Support Specialist

The Centers•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Program Manager, the Peer Support Specialist will be a current or former recipient of mental health services and/or substance use disorder services, should have self-knowledge and self-awareness of his or her mental health diagnosis/illness and/or substance use disorder, and willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients. Provides peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team members; act as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance-abuse services, education, support and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of the Program Manager.

Requirements

The Peer Specialist must meet local standards for certification as a peer specialist or if peer certification is unavailable locally, minimum qualifications include the following: (1) self-identified as an individual with a serious mental illness who is currently or formerly a recipient of mental health services; (2) Is in the process of his/her recovery; and (3) has completed training in wellness management and recovery interventions.
Valid Ohio driver license with less than six points and proof of automobile insurance, adhering to the minimum requirements of Ohio’s Financial Responsibility Act.
CPR certification, first aid, and non-violent crisis intervention training (within 60 days of hire).

Responsibilities

Educates the community about the availability and evidence base of The Centers’ Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) services, including through the use of evidence-based consumer materials and content
Frequently visits our SEP sites and provides guidance and assistance to clients
Helps clients and patients reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use
Serves as a first contact and partner to people who use drugs (PWUD) in the community, individuals accessing our SEP, and patients in recovery
Provides coaching and consultation to clients to promote recovery and self-direction (e.g., preparation for a role in treatment planning meetings).
Models skills for and provides consultation to fellow staff members.
Provides cross training to other staff members in recovery principles and strategies.
Uses interpersonal skills and abilities to effectively work with individuals with mental health illness and their families, agency referrals, and other service providers in the community
Serves as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment
Provides expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to staff concerning clients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side effects of medications, clients’ responses to and opinion of treatment, and clients’ experiences of recovery
Helps clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and substance use, develop strategies to reduce self-stigma
Increases awareness of and support client participation in client self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery
Helps other staff members identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness and substance use and develops strategies to eliminate stigma within the organization
Must be able to provide services to clients in multiple settings including jail, shelters, streets, hospitals, and homes
Facilitates referrals to community members and SEP participants as needed for infectious disease prevention, detection, care, and treatment (including HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and wound care); substance-use disorder care and treatment (including low-threshold, medication-assisted treatment and evidence-based psychological and behavioral treatments); and essential support services (including transportation and mental health services)
Must be able to assist clients in identifying and coping with mental illness and/or substance use by encouraging clinical engagement practices and techniques in addition to community activities
Encourages and supports clients through the development of mental capacity for independence and healthy independent decision making related to, but not limited to the living situation, hygiene, personal care, household skills, medication administration, social skills, coping techniques, etc.
Observes and reports behavior, attitude, mood swings, mental health, substance use, and/or healthcare needs.
Adheres to the ethical, confidentiality, and professional-standards requirements of federal and state law, the policies of this organization, and the policies of licensing and credentialing boards.
Speaks and acts in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to a person’s ethnic, cultural, and developmental background, to any disabling conditions, and to conditions that may affect the person’s ability to form accurate perceptions, process information, understand directions, and communicate important information.
Consistently interacts with members of this and other organizations in a respectful, professional manner; productively contributes to the functioning of an interdisciplinary team.
Assumes additional responsibilities and performs special projects as needed or directed.