PACT Peer Support Specialist

Peer Specialist

The Peer Specialist has experience as a recipient of mental health services and is willing to use and share their personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients. The Peer Specialist functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by clients to have a satisfying life. They attend daily reports, participate fully in the assessment process, and typically work during the 9-5 hours (similar to the clinical team). The Peer Specialist collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client's point of view, experiences, and preferences. They are responsible to maximize client choice, self-determination and decision-making in the planning, delivery and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation and support services. They provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team staff; act as a liaison with community resources; carry out rehabilitation and support functions; and assist in treatment, substance abuse services, education, support and consultation to families and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff with professional degrees.

Qualifications Required:

• College degree in Human Services field, or in another area, have a high school diploma, or have at least two years of paid or volunteer work experiences with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Must have good oral and written communication skills Is or has been a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness and has self-knowledge to manage their mental illness and be well along in their recovery.
• Must have strong commitment to the right and the ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
• Have skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect for the clients' rights and personal preferences in treatment.
• Must have a valid driver's license, dependable automobile, and a clean drivers record WRAP facilitation and peer certification training is desired.