Peer Specialist - Evening, Overnight

Position: Peer Specialist Category: Non-exempt

Department: Peer Services Employment Status: FT/PT/PD

Finger Printing Required: Yes Driving Required: No

Peer Specialist utilizes personal experience and respite training to provide peer support and

companionship for guests. The Peer Specialists manifest, in their presence and actions, a vision

of hope, resilience, opportunity, and wellness. Goals include lessening/alleviating emotional

distress and crises, lessening use of emergency rooms and hospitals, and increasing personal

growth with positive life choices.

Provide supportive companionship for guests throughout their visit to house (interview,

intake, arrival, stay and departure).

Share personal recovery to encourage hope, wellness, personal growth and recovery.

Model and support the belief that individuals can and will do better.

Utilize effective engagement skills to connect, use mutually shared insights to

encourage problem solving and utilization of tools that will assist in lessening or

alleviating current and future crisis.

Non-judgmental active listening designed to meet individual where they are at.

Help maintain a clean, safe, and secure environment. Some cleaning may be involved.

Provide telephone support to peers in the community though our Consumer Phone Link

Program as needed.

Facilitate self-help, support groups.

Keep accurate and timely records.

Work cooperatively with respite team.

Maintains client confidentiality.

NYCPS-P Certification Preferred

Mental Health Association of Nassau County, Inc.

Job Description

POSITION INFORMATION:

Ii. General Description

III. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

2

Reports to: Director; Senior Diversion Manager; Peer Management Team

Lived, experience and willingness to utilize personal experience to assist others in

recovery.

High School Diploma

Six months to one year current or recent employment.

Six months to one year part time or full time experience in delivery of direct services to

mental health consumer/survivors (volunteer or paid), preferred.

Three months first hand experience in self-help or peer directed services and/or peer

support groups, preferred.

Good oral and written communication skills.

Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training preferred.

Basic knowledge of community support services/resources/mental health service

delivery system, preferred.

Knowledge of consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement and peer run or peer driven

services that incorporate recovery based philosophies.

Ability to relate to both other survivors of mental illness and psychiatric diagnosis and

mental health professionals.

Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional demeanor,

language and behaviors reflecting such values.

Commitment to the possibility of recovery for all individuals diagnosed with

psychiatric illness.

Emotional resilience to cope with strong emotions on an on-going basis.

Valid and clean New York State Drivers License, preferred.