Peer Support Specialist - Frank Williams

Purpose

Peer Support Specialist must have "lived experience" with accessing behavioral health services and/or housing instability in the past. The Peer Support Specialist provides individual support to consumers within the community that may be experiencing mental health care challenges. They help clients and their families to identify skills, life goals, and resources that they can use to enhance their own wellness and achieve their life goals.

The Peer Support Specialist uses a strength-based approach to inspire hope and to develop mutuality in peer-to-peer relationships.

• Engage individuals with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse in specific recovery plans and interventions related to mental health symptoms and substance abuse and develop positive, hopeful, and trusting relationships.
• Train and coach individuals in positive skill-building techniques for improved life management (e.g., problem solving, identifying and overcoming fears and negative self-talk).
• Recognize and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and ethnic differences.
• Help others succeed by demonstrating exceptional interpersonal skills, the ability to work effectively with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and addiction and the ability to react constructively in a wide variety of situations.
  • Effectively manage conflict, promote change and growth, and inspire the development of all clients served.
  • Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
  • Value and respect every individual’s recovery experience.
• Assist clients in initiating and maintaining relationships with other agencies, self-help groups and external resources.
• Interact positively and in cooperation with other members of the organization and team
• Assist client in accessing resources such as laundry, independent living skills, etc
• Connect individuals with resources to address housing instability

High School diploma or GED equivalent. Current or recent studies in behavioral healthcare a plus.

Have a minimum of one year in recovery as evidenced by one year of sobriety and free of psychiatric hospital admissions for two years. The provider must self-identify as a former primary consumer of behavioral healthcare services and lived experience with addiction recovery.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of recovery and wellness philosophy and behavioral healthcare and substance abuse field.

Based at a Frank Williams Resource Center. Workday regularly includes multiple and/or conflicting demands.

• Must be comfortable with a physically active role that includes organizing, moving supplies, and maintaining a clean environment
• Requires light cleaning and general upkeep of work areas
• Frequent movement throughout the day including standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 15 pounds.