Peer Supporter

Location: Hacienda of Hope, Long Beach

Hours: Monday through Friday 12:00 am - 8:00 am (Shifts will vary; evenings, nights, weekends, holidays)

Pay Range: $37,700.00 - $49,010.00

FLSA Status: Non-exempt, Full-Time 36.25 hours Monday-Friday - some weekends

Reports to: Program Manager

Summary: Works under general supervision of Program Manager and/or Program Director. Works with guests to provide information, peer-to-peer support and/or self-help services as needed or requested. Position is reserved for a person that self identifies as having personal lived experience in the mental health system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Please note that the duties may vary depending on department size, organizational structure and/or geographic location. Works actively within a multi-disciplinary team environment to develop and deliver peer-to-peer and self-help opportunities and services for clients/guest as identified. Link potential and current guests to community resources, ensure participants are registered, perform cleaning responsibilities, complete registration paperwork, complete daily COS billing notes, and facilitate self-help workshops or groups as needed or requested. Work activities may include any or all of the following:

• Provide hands-on life coaching to train, mentor, and support clients.

• Provide hands-on life coaching to train, mentor, and support clients with the acquisition of basic skills in activities of daily living (hygiene, meal preparation, home care, medication management, other self-care, public transportation access/travel training etc.)

• Provide bridging services to clients in transition from or to other programs including community residence or hospitals. Empower clients by building awareness of specialty services including health, mental health, housing, and substance use.

• Provide outreach and engagement services to link guests to community resources and inform agencies in the community about the program services.

• Participation with the team members to assist in the development of a Wellness Service Plan(s) for clients, especially those plans that will contain involvement with a peer-support or self-help linkage component. Works actively with the team members to develop strategies for outreach to clients who tend to isolate themselves.

• Provide supportive assistance to, and the modeling of self-advocacy with the guest to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, SSI entitlements, etc.

• Provide supportive assistance to, and the modeling of self-advocacy with the guest to help him/her research and access needed and desired community resources.

• Research, develop, plan, coordinate and/or offer structured workshops, peer support and self-help groups, wellness activities, employment or education support activities, recreation activities, and/or social outings that reflect the client’s needs, interests, and desires. Coaches and supports peer clients/guests to research, offer, plan, and lead these activities for themselves and others.

• Perform intake assessments and registration for guests who enter the program. Interview guests to inform them of house rules and ensure adherence to policies and participation of those guidelines.

• Screen potential guests to determine if they meet the qualifications and criteria for admittance into the program.

• Perform COS billing notes to document peer support services that are provided to guests.

• Ensure participants are registered and proper documentation is submitted in a timely manner to ensure service and program delivery.

• Be supportive and contribute to a culturally diverse and sensitive environment. Maintain an open and cooperative approach. Provide an environment of acceptance that supports and respects people of different gender, ethnicities, cultural values, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, age, disability, family composition, and socio-economic status.

• Complete daily cleaning responsibilities to maintain a clean, positive working environment and a general spirit of cooperation. Physical activity is required (i.e., sweeping, mopping, dishwashing, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms). Be a team player by maintaining effective working relationships and communicating clearly in a respectful and professional manner with staff, outside agencies, and clients/guests.

• Works cooperatively with others to assure the smooth and seamless delivery of comprehensive services to members, attends required trainings and meetings, and participates actively in the community life of the worksite.

• Contributes to and supports a culturally diverse and sensitive environment. Maintains an open and cooperative approach. Provides an environment of acceptance that supports and respects people of different gender, ethnicities, cultural values, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, age, disability, family composition, and socio-economic status.

• Maintains a clean, positive, and supportive work environment and a general spirit of cooperation. Is a team player who maintains effective working relationships and communicates clearly in a respectful and professional manner with staff, members, and outside agencies.

• Works cooperatively with others to assure the smooth and seamless delivery of comprehensive services to members, attends required trainings and meetings.

• Must have a desire to work with individuals impaired by extreme distress/mental illness and believe in an individual’s ability to recover from disabling mental distress.

• Must verbalize an initial and ongoing understanding of environmental variables that may present while performing administrative tasks and/or providing direct services as a PRPSN employee (i.e., individuals presenting at the agency in extreme emotional states).

• Must exhibit good personal judgment, a non-bias attitude, sensitivity, and discretion when dealing with other individuals. Must demonstrate the skills and ability to “work and play well with others,” interacting with co-workers, program participants, family members, and community partners effectively and responding appropriately when experiencing interpersonal conflict with others.

• Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager.

• Models PRPSN approach, mission, and core values in all communication and correspondence.

Skills:

Other Position Requirements:

• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative professional relationships.

• Peer Advocate Certificate/Training and demonstrated experience in peer support, peer advocacy, or self-help. Obtaining a Peer Specialist certificate within 6 months will be required for any candidate that doesn’t currently have one.

• Effective English and Spanish speaking, reading, and writing communication skills;

• Must be well-organized and able to explain how.

• Demonstrated basic computer/word processing skills, including Microsoft Office.

• Class C driver’s license, daily access to a car, and proof of valid automobile insurance.

• All employees that drive personal vehicles for daily job functions must provide proof of auto liability insurance of a 30,000/60,000 policy upon the first day of employment, maintain required coverage amounts, and provide ongoing documentation of continuous coverage.

• Flexible work schedule to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Must know or quickly acquire extensive knowledge of local community resources.

• Physical Demands: In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow different individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Must be able to bend, stoop, lift, and push up to 25 pounds on a regular basis, stand and move intermittently throughout the workday.

Health Benefits

We offer a choice between two different HMO's, dental and vision care.

Paid Time Off:

We offer a combination of 11 holidays, 2 weeks of sick time, 2 weeks of vacation time, and 2 personal days off per full-time employee

403 B Retirement:

We offer a voluntary 403 B retirement plan for your future

Employee Assistance Program:

We offer an EAP that is confidential and supportive for personal, family, and work issues. EAP is available 24/7