Childrens NOVA Youth Peer Specialist

JBS NOVA Youth Peer Specialist

NOVA provides treatment for individuals ages 15-25 who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Youth Peer Specialists will be expected to work with the NOVA team to address the critical domains of functioning for youth/young adults, to include working, learning, living, belonging and healing through a strengths-based individualized team process that facilitates progress and strengthens resiliency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have lived experience with a mental illness with psychosis or a history of psychotic symptoms between the ages of 15-26.

High School Diploma or GED required.

Must become certified as a Certified Peer Specialist - Youth by completing DMH-approved training(s).

Must understand and endorse a recovery-oriented approach to providing services.

Normal Work Hours/Days: Part-time, Varied schedule based on needs of youth/young adults served

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Participate in one-on-one meetings with supervisor to discuss ideas, difficulties, suggestions, and expectations.
• Participate as an equal and active member of the multi-disciplinary team
• Attend treatment team meetings with the youth/young adult to promote the individual’s use of self-directed advocacy goals.
• Promote self-determination, recovery, resilience, self-advocacy, and self-direction. Assist the youth/young adult in identifying strengths, wellness goals, setting objective, goal planning and identifying barriers.
• Facilitate small groups. Groups to be made of up to 10 individuals and focus on topics related to recovery: Coping Techniques, Health Teaching, Spirituality, and Social Interaction.
• Plan and research for small groups and interest activities.
• Facilitate interest activities. Activities should be centered on the interest of the group of individuals. Activities should be voluntary and can be used as a reward. The activities must be done in the wards and can be on any topic.
• Participate in one-one-one relationship building with youth/young adults. Activities to be done in the community.
• Provide intensive support through a personalized balance of social, recreational, skill teaching and linkage development services for individual relationships with youth/young adults.
• Facilitate understanding between client and clinician.
• Give alternate, experienced based points of view.
• Provide accurate documentation as stipulated by program demands
• Other tasks assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must be dependable.
• Must be teachable and honest.
• Ability to share skills and knowledge with others
• Ability to use one’s experiences with mental illness/substance use in a manner that is thoughtfully delivered to ensure youth/young adults are not negatively influenced but empowered and motivated toward a healthy lifestyle.
• Must be able to connect to youth/young adults.
• Must be a good role model and be in active recovery for their own serious mental illness.
• Should have a personal vehicle readily available to use.
• Should be energetic and passionate.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team
• Should be open to job requirements and have the ability to facilitate groups and activities.
• Should be available to work afternoon/early evening hours or weekend hours based on needs of the youth/young adults.
• Should be flexible, adaptable, integrative, and creative.