Peer Support Specialist - Full Time

Pay is commensurate with experience within a range of $18.75 - $22.00 per hour. Full time, non-exempt, benefits eligible. Bert Nash offers excellent benefits which include medical, dental, vision, KPERS retirement, life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing free counseling and resources, and generous PTO.

Caring. Hope. Giving back. Our mission at the Bert Nash Center as the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) of Douglas County is to advance the health of the community through comprehensive behavioral health services responsive to evolving needs and changing environments. We accomplish this by believing in our team. Each person that works for the Bert Nash Center contributes directly to the success of our clients, organization, and community. Our values of compassion, integrity, equity and hope reflect in everything we do.

Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of the Peer Support Specialist will be to provide assistance and support to CSS consumers who are in the active stages of their recovery process. Specific duties include but not limited to:

• Helping consumers develop a network for information and support from others who have been through similar experiences. Specific activities may include:
  • working with individuals and groups to identify what works in their recovery;
  • modeling successful behaviors and strategies and share personal experience with recovery.;
  • helping consumers access new resources and practice new skills in the community;
  • connecting consumers with other consumers, consumer run organizations and the community at large;
  • providing information regarding educational and vocational opportunities within the community.

• Helping consumers regain the ability to make independent choices and take a proactive role in treatment. Specific activities may include:
  • helping consumers discuss questions or concerns about medications, diagnosis or treatment approaches with their treating clinician;
  • helping consumers articulate in their own words their goals and aspirations in the development of their individualized plan.

• Assisting consumers with identifying and effectively responding to or avoiding identified precursors or triggers that result in functional impairments. Specific activities may include:
  • sharing and supporting use of recovery tools including established best practices and individually develops tools and strategies;
  • sharing lived experiences and model recovery strategies.

• Documenting all contacts in accordance with agency policies and completing paperwork requirements in a timely manner.
• Assisting with the evolution of an effective, efficient delivery of services.
• Completing all required trainings to met requirements of a peer support position; and
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job.

Qualifications: The Peer Support Specialist position requires but not limited to:

• be a consumer of mental health services with a minimum of one year in the active stage of recovery (i.e. did not require services more intense than medications services, individual therapy or group therapy;
• a High School diploma or GED. Prefer college education in social work or related field, but not mandatory;
• ability to pass required security background checks;
• reliable transportation and a valid, unrestricted driver's license;
• understanding of confidentiality and the unique issues that this entails in peer to peer relationship
• complete certification to provide peer support within 6 months of date of hire;
• flexibility in assigned working hours;
• an energetic and positive approach to the rapidly evolving changes and challenges of a complex work place.