Peer Support Specialist, FEPI (Nashville, TN)

Ranked one of Tennessee’s top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.  Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. 

If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you!

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist, FEPI (Nashville, TN)
Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00a-4:30p
Salary: $38,600 (base pay) with additional incentive for language skills and behavioral health experience. Mileage reimbursement available.  

JOB SUMMARY: Assist with providing recovery support to consumers and assist consumers with obtaining and utilizing natural and formal supports and peer services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with FEPI consumers to reduce and manage psychiatric symptoms and facilitate their return to a less restrictive environment.
• Will provide Consumer care within the parameters of the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) model.
• Provide linkage and referrals to supports, services, and groups.
• Provide follow-up contact with consumers upon discharge to ensure discharge plan is working and assist consumer if discharge plan is not working to develop alternatives.
• Monitor consumer’s behavior, level of motivation and plan implementation, and ability to remain safe while in the community.
• Support consumers in understanding their psychiatric diagnosis, treatment options, and medications.
• Support consumers and team members with discharge and treatment planning.
• Consistently treat consumers and co-workers with respect.
• Ensure timely and appropriate documentation as required by agency.
• Develop and maintain community and MHC inter-departmental relations through prompt follow-up with contacts.
• Make customer service a priority with internal and external customers.
• Communicate effectively with staff, supervisors, and consumers.
• Maintain flexibility in the work place.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, training opportunities, conferences, team meetings, and supervision as required.
• Discuss precipitating events and possible alternatives with each consumer.
• When appropriate, advocate for consumer’s needs.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Must have a High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• 2 years of recovery time from a drug and alcohol addiction or mental illness.
• Peer Recovery Specialist Training certification from the Tennessee
• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation
• Personal Automobile Insurance

ABOUT YOU:

• Actively engage consumers in crisis stabilization and resolution
• Strengths based
• Effective written and verbal communication with consumers and staff
• Creativity
• Identify and build upon individual’s natural and formal supports
• Community based
• Competence in motivational interviewing techniques
• Provide an example of group facilitation to peers
• Internal and external customer service indicative of mutual respect and trust     
• Ability to prioritize, remain calm and focused when dealing with consumer crisis
• Remain flexible and demonstrate positive attitude to respond to changing needs

JOINT COMMISSION COMPETENCIES:

• Consumer Engagement – establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship via effective, appropriate communication and behaviors with consumers
• Collaborates with consumer and team regarding crisis planning, prevention and intervention. 
• Actively participates in communication and consultation process with cross-disciplinary team.
• Completes group sessions, providing consumers with the ability to process and interact with other Consumers.
• Assist the individual in preparation of discharge by linking to community supports.
• Engages with consumers consistent with knowledge and application of specific assessments.
• Promotes a recovery-based approach to care that emphasizes mutuality, responsibility, hope, respect, self-determination and empowerment.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a collaborative style and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Demonstrates evidenced informed practice related to populations served.
• Skilled at sharing lived experiences in effective ways that promotes recovery.
• Balances engagement as a peer, while setting professional boundaries that align with policies.
• Progress notes are timely, thorough, and follows best practice.  

BENEFITS: Mental Health Cooperative offers a full comprehensive benefit plan for you to participate in. The following products are available:

• Medical Insurance/Prescription Drug Coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• 403b - Retirement Plan
• Calm App for medication and mental health
• Gym membership discounts 

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.