Peer Support Specialist

Company Mission/ statement:

Our mission is to inspire and empower people to seek and maintain recovery and health. Daymark Recovery Services, Inc. is a mission driven, comprehensive community provider of culturally sensitive mental health and substance abuse services.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Spending Account
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• 401(k)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
• Employee Assistant Program
• Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Extensive Internal Training Program

Pay Scale: $16-$18

Summary:

An individual who is or has been a recipient of mental health services with a mental illness. Provides highly individualized services in the community and promotes individual self-determination and decision making. Under indirect supervision, provides consumer education and individual/system advocacy, Self Help skills, Pre-crisis support, Housing assistance, Education/employment support, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) plan support, and independent/social skills support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Peer Support Specialist is an integral member of an array of services. The responsibilities of the Peer Support Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following:  

Consumer Education / Advocacy

Ensures that consumer/legally responsible person receives information regarding rights and assistance as needed in exercising rights. Assists consumer/legally responsible person in obtaining information about available service providers.

Self Help:

Helps the consumer make informed independent choices and develop a network of supportive individuals.

Pre-Crisis Support

Assist the consumer with development, modification and use of the crisis plan, advanced directives, and provide relapse prevention support.

Housing

Supports the consumer to maintain stable housing, improve housing situation, and enhance independent living skills.

Education/Employment

Assists the client in gaining information about going back to school or job training

Developing and implementing a Mental Health Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

If with an approved WRAP facilitator or trainer, this can include skill maintenance and enhancement around meals and social activities to build peer relationships where eating is not the core activity.

Units Billed Minimum Requirement:  The direct service guideline is 75% of time spent in specific billable contacts per week.  This direct service guideline may be adjusted to ensure consistency with other job expectations.

Special Attributes:  Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to make effective use of time and prioritize work assignments. Ability to communicate effectively with professionals and clients/families. Ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations.

Education/Experience: Peer Support services are delivered by staff who have the life experience of being diagnosed with a serious mental illness or substance addiction problem, and are currently in recovery, stable, and living without relapses. The Peer Support Paraprofessional has a high school diploma, or GED and at least five years of life experience with a serious mental illness or substance addiction. The paraprofessional also self identifies as an individual with a psychiatric or addictions disability. Paraprofessional staff who work no more than 10 hours a week providing Peer Support and have not completed their 20 hours of training have two years to complete the training required. The Peer Specialist also demonstrates at least one full year in his/her own life without crisis, relapse, or psychiatric or substance abuse inpatient treatment, or criminal justice involvement and may not be a family member or related to the consumer.

Peer Support Specialists are supervised by a Qualified Professional.