Peer Support Specialist

Brief Description The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD ("The HARRIS CENTER") is looking for a Peer Support Specialist to join our team. The Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Peer Support Specialist provides direct outreach care services to consumers who meet criteria for the OD2A local grant subcontracted from Harris County Public Health. The Peer Specialist works collaboratively with the Substance Use Disorder Outreach Program (SUDOP) to promote and encourage entry of eligible individuals to mental health, medical, and substance use services. This position is responsible for supporting consumers. Support includes listening, encouraging, coaching, empowering and linkage to care, risk reduction services, and resources that suit that individual’s recovery needs. This role assists in the recovery process. The OD2A Peer Support Specialist conducts outreach and engagement to eligible population in a variety of settings in the community not limited to homeless encampments, shelters, drug treatment facilities. This position requires local travel via personal vehicle, with travel reimbursement and flexible hours. Your Role In Action Interacts with the community, colleagues, and patients by following the key principles of a trauma informed approach (i.e., safety, trustworthiness, transparency, peer support, empowerment, voice and choice, culture, history, gender) Develops relationships by providing support and encouragement that will enhance consumer's ability to act against the problem instead of being controlled. Demonstrates ethical conduct in all professional activities. Always takes responsibility for personal recovery, and models self-responsibility. Encourages consumers to attend consumer meetings/support groups and supports their effort. Utilizes Standard Precautions appropriately and participates in monitoring to prevent the spread of infection. Supports an environment that is environmentally and technically safe while providing care. Delivers care with appropriate age and cultural competence to specific patient populations according to individualized needs. Complies with Agency policies and procedures and SUDOP Operating Guidelines. Coach peers about recovery. Education High School Diploma or general education degree (GED). If not certified as a Peer Specialist, certification must be obtained within 90 days of employment. Experience Must self-identify as a user of Mental Health Services with no crisis services utilized within a year, and no hospitalization within a year. May consider one stay within a year if it was a short duration. Must have at least a 12 months treatment history of one of the severe and persistent mental illnesses. Background check is required. Preferred experience effectively collaborating and advocating alongside youth. Other Key Requirements Valid Texas Driver’s License required. Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Have personal lived experience navigating behavioral health systems and juvenile justice system. Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to empathize, relate to and effectively collaborate with youth and team members. Demonstrate a strong understanding of boundaries and principles of self‑care. Have the willingness to disclose lived experience, where appropriate, for the purpose of empowerment. Basic understanding of mental illness, common signs, symptoms, and the ability to identify difficulties coping in community settings. Bilingual is a strong plus. Group affiliations such as NAMI, DBSA, AA, NA, etc., are also a plus. Must have basic understanding of mental illness and the ability to identify common signs and symptoms. Must have strong communication skills, listening and interpersonal skills. Written documentation must be clear, concise, and well‑constructed. Must work respectfully and maintain professional boundaries with other disciplines, demonstrate effective time management and organizational skills, and enter required documentation into a database and online medical record. Must have basic word processing and data spreadsheet skills and good written and spoken communication skills in English. What We Have To Offer The Harris Center offers a competitive salary and a suite of benefits, including a robust retirement plan with company matching, paid time‑off accrual, cell phone discounts, entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, a Headspace subscription for mental wellness, an Employee Assistance Program, and student‑loan forgiveness programs. #J-18808-Ljbffr