Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives since 1958. With 25 programs we offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 14,200 people annually. Together we: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Peer Support Specialist in the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program to join our team of talented professionals.

We have a market-based compensation structure. The estimated salary for this position will vary based on a candidate's transferable work experience and qualifications. This is a salary grade 103A. Hourly rates start at $21.16. The starting range provided is just one component of total compensation including a comprehensive benefit package of affordable medical plans, employer paid dental, vision and long-term disability, 401(K) with employer contribution, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent, paid time off, 11 paid holidays, licensed supervision and eligibility for biweekly incentives.

As a Peer Support Specialist in the ACT Program, you will be responsible for:

• Delivering peer support services, consistent with existing Medicaid guidelines, to individual consumers or groups of consumers.
• Peers will promote and model recovery and assist consumers in developing skills necessary to access community resources, live more independently, improve their health and wellness, continue their education, and pursue opportunities for meaningful work in their community.
• Regular business hours 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Including 4 hours after 5pm (Monday through Thursday, some evening and weekend hours may be required for special agency or community events.

The Guidance believes that our team members are our most valuable resources, and we invest in them accordingly. We offer our employees a competitive salary, flexible scheduling opportunities, a team-oriented work environment and much more!

Requirements

To qualify for this position, you will need the following:

• Candidates for this position must have experience as recipients of community mental health services, and be willing to use their own recovery experience as a vehicle to helping others. More specifically, candidates must be willing to share their personal stories of recovery with individual consumers, groups of consumers, and as part of organized public speaking engagements.
• Peers must be willing to participate in training and supervision to enhance their effectiveness with peers, and to improve their understanding of the fundamental principles of recovery, peer support and self-determination.
• Must demonstrate a nonjudgmental approach that reflects cultural competency and sensitivity to the unique needs and diverse experiences of people with mental illness and their families.
• Must demonstrate the ability to engage ACT consumers in home settings and within the community.
• Candidate will work with the ACT Team to develop working relationships with consumers and provide direct assistance with access to community resources in an effort to remove barriers preventing consumers from effectively managing their illness.
• Must be willing to participate in training and supervision to enhance their understanding of co-occurring disorders, identifying high risk behaviors, recovery, and safety training.
• Must demonstrate the ability to establish working relationships with consumers, provide direct assistance with access to community resources, facilitate educational workshops, support groups and recovery-oriented activities for consumers and their families.
• Must be comfortable interacting with the public under a broad range of circumstances, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to organize their work and complete tasks within established time frames. Candidates must obtain or retain a valid Chauffeurs' license with a clean driving record.
• Candidates for this position must be certified by the State of Michigan as Peer Support Specialists.

The Guidance Center believes that our team members are our most valuable resources, and we invest in them accordingly. We offer our employees a competitive salary, flexible scheduling opportunities, a team-oriented work environment and much more!

The Guidance Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a welcoming place for everyone.