Peer Support Specialist - Supportive Housing Team - Part Time

Wyandot Behavioral Health Network•Kansas City, KS

About The Position

Wyandot BHN is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to join its Supportive Housing Team. The role provides community-based individual support to consumers facing mental health challenges. The specialist helps clients and families identify skills, life goals, and resources to support wellness and achievement of personal goals. Using a strength-based approach, the specialist inspires hope and develops mutual, peer-to-peer relationships. The position requires lived experience with mental health challenges and addiction recovery. The specialist engages individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse in recovery plans and related interventions, coaches positive life-management skills, models coping and self-help strategies, and supports clients in connecting with agencies, self-help groups, and other resources. The role also includes timely documentation, collaboration and participation in team activities, and regular travel and transportation of clients or families in the region. The position is based at a central office and requires travel to other locations, businesses, and community sites. Workdays regularly involve multiple or conflicting demands.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Complete Certified Peer Support Training and the Peer Support Certification exam within six months of employment.
At least one year in recovery, evidenced by one year of sobriety and two years without psychiatric hospital admissions.
Self-identify as a former primary consumer of behavioral healthcare services and have lived experience with addiction recovery.
Demonstrated working knowledge of recovery and wellness philosophy and the behavioral healthcare and substance abuse field.
Ability to establish relationships with individuals and organizations of influence in the social services community, including civic groups, charitable agencies, related government entities, and fundraising sources.

Nice To Haves

Current or recent studies in behavioral healthcare.

Responsibilities

Engage individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse in recovery plans and interventions related to mental health symptoms and substance abuse, while developing positive, hopeful, and trusting relationships.
Train and coach individuals in positive skill-building techniques for improved life management, including problem-solving and addressing fears and negative self-talk.
Recognize and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and ethnic differences.
Use strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and addiction, and respond constructively in a wide variety of situations.
Manage conflict effectively, promote change and growth, and encourage the development of clients served.
Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
Value and respect each individual’s recovery experience.
Assist clients in initiating and maintaining relationships with other agencies, self-help groups, and external resources.
Complete documentation and reporting requirements thoroughly and on time.
Cooperate with organizational and team members, including participating in supervision, team meetings, and continuing education.
Travel regularly and transport clients and/or families in the region, providing direct care and support as needed.