The Peer Support Specialist provides emotional support, coaching, and advocacy to individuals managing mental health and substance abuse recovery. They assist clients in developing wellness plans, accessing community resources, and learning daily living and stress reduction skills.
Summary: The Certified Peer Specialist is responsible for providing supportive rehabilitation and recovery support services to individuals impacted by a variety of behavioral health issues who are learning to manage aspects of their mental illness/substance abuse recovery.
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Work
Experiences: Must be a recipient of or have received mental health services in the recent past.
Provide ongoing emotional support and guide, teach and coach skills for managing mental health issues. Train, coach and support individuals in learning social and daily living skills. Accompany to appointments to provide support, advocacy and encouragement in discussing issues with doctors and therapists. Provide community living skills coaching and teaching to develop independence and self-sufficiency. Assist individuals in accessing public services to include financial, housing, emergency service needs, food, shelter and clothing resources. Assist in accessing support groups in the community. Assist in developing Wellness and Recovery Plans with clients. Assist in learning Illness Management and Recovery skills to become familiar with signs and symptoms of mental illness. Teach stress reduction exercises. Certified Peer Specialist shall report to and perform other work-related duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Crisis Services. Performs specified administrative tasks as determined by the Assistant Director of Crisis Services and/or Director of Crisis Services Perform all other duties as assigned.
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. It is required that the applicant is a current or former recipient of mental health services.
