Certified Peer Support Specialist​/Trainee; Consumer

The Riverside University Health System's Behavioral Health Department is seeking multiple Bilingual and Non-Bilingual Certified Peer Support Specialists/Trainees. This posting will be used to fill current and future vacancies for Consumer openings. Positions throughout multiple locations across Riverside County.

• Consumer: Has personal recovery experience from mental health or substance abuse, for at least 1 year.

In order to be considered, candidates must be able to share personal experiences with others.

Applicants will answer questions about personal experience, work experience, and qualifications. The most competitive applicants (based on specialized skills) will be referred for interviews. Applicants will receive email notification once their application is no longer being considered due to Candidate Pool expiration.

Some positions may require a law enforcement background investigation which requires completion of an extensive questionnaire, meeting with a background investigator, and submitting several references.

Competitive candidates will possess current or previous experience as a consumer, family advocate or parent partner of mental health or substance recovery services. Applications may remain active up to 6 months.

Schedule:

Schedules vary depending on location and department needs.

Peer Support Specialist Trainee Salary Range: $19.43 – $26.64

Certified Peer Support Specialist Salary Range: $23.30 – $31.72

Valid California Driver's License and CALMHSA MEDI-CAL PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION may be required at various locations.

Under direction, provide information, support and assistance and advocacy for recipients, and/or caregivers/family members of consumers of mental health services and to provide feedback and perspective to the mental health system relative to the impact and effectiveness of the services provided and to do other work as required.

Incumbents in this class perform the full journey level scope of assignments in the Mental Health Peer Specialist series and report to either a program supervisor or a regional manager; team with mental health professionals in the provision of consumer treatment, directly assist consumers and families/caregivers in the utilization of appropriate community resources, provide education and information to consumers and the community;

and provide a unique consumer perspective to the mental health team.

Incumbents in this class provide a full range of information, training, support, encouragement, advocacy, service effectiveness assessment and related services in order to assist the consumer and family/caregiver in coping with immediate situations. Incumbents of this class do not attempt to modify or change the consumer's personality structure. Classes in this series differ from those in the Clinical Therapist series in that the latter, due to advanced education and experience, use independent judgment in making diagnoses, developing treatment plans, and providing a wide range and variety of mental health services including psychotherapy.

This series differs from the Behavioral Health Specialist series in that the latter provides general counseling, initial assessment and case management. In contrast, this series provides information and assistance based on the unique perspective of being a recipient of or having been closely associated with the direct receipt of mental health services.

• Provide meaningful self-disclosure of personal lived experience of behavioral health-related and/or substance abuse-related recovery and resiliency to the people served in the system of care (required by State Certification).
• In a training capacity, inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families and caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.
• Communicate, represent and promote the consumer, families and caregivers' perspective within the behavioral health system.
• Facilitate self-help groups for consumers, youth, family members, and caregivers.
• Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings within the behavioral health system and in the community.
• Develop activities, programs and resources which support consumers, families and caregivers in achieving their goals.
• Support the appropriate recognition, acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.
• Develop effective working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family and caregiver empowerment.
• Help prepare and support clients, families and caregivers at consumer progress consultation meetings and at a variety of formal and informal hearings.
• Help consumers and those who support them to articulate their needs.
• Focus on and is sensitive to consumer, family and caregiver satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with behavioral health services.
• Assist and promote…