Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist

The On-Site Rehab Program is based at the Fort Washington Men's Shelter - a 200 bed 24/7 emergency shelter for homeless men diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse. The program's services mirror the range of shelter services available and include case management, individual and group counseling, psychiatric assessment and follow-up, medication management, and housing placement assistance.

Under the general direction of the Clinical Director and under the direct supervision of the Housing Specialist, the Peer Counselor is responsible for providing the required counseling and supportive services to selected clients to facilitate their transition from the shelter to living independently in their communities, as well as to provide the aftercare necessary to ensure permanency; performs related work.

The essential duties of the Peer Specialist include but are not limited to the following activities:

• Supports the efforts of case managers and the Housing Specialist to assist clients in accessing the range of living options they are qualified for including supportive housing, LINC, family reunification, etc.
• Meets with identified clients individually and, or in groups to discuss issues related to successful community living including budgeting, medication adherence, sobriety or harm reduction, and use of leisure time.
• Escorts clients to placements, entitlement appointments, housing interviews and other community support programs.
• Documents all clients' information and updates in a timely fashion.
• Drives the Project Renewal vehicle for housing related activities as needed.
• Provides ongoing aftercare to identify and address obstacles to permanency.
• Regularly have post-placement phone and/or face to face contacts and provides community escorts as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Clinical Coordinator or Housing Specialist.

Available to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed. On call for emergencies on a 24X7X365 basis, especially after regular work hours and on weekends.

Qualifications:

• All candidates must have a minimum High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two years' experience working with adults who are mentally ill or homeless.
• Minimum two years' sobriety - if applicable.
• An ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff and providers.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Project Renewal is an equal opportunity employer. Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, gender, physical or mental disability, age (18 and over), military status, arrest record, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.