Peer Recovery Specialist - Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

JOB SUMMARY:

The Peer Recovery Specialist—Serious Mental Illness (SMI) provides peer counseling support and mentoring to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorder (SUD). The Peer Recovery Specialist—SMI serves as an advocate and assist in maximizing individual's choice and decision making in the recovery process. This member of the Cornerstone team has experience as a recipient of mental health services and has experienced stable, sustained recovery. The Peer Recovery Specialist—SMI is willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and individual served. The Peer Recovery Specialist—SMI role models competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills. The Peer Recovery Specialist—SMI functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by individuals to have a satisfying life. Collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each individual’s point of view, experiences, and preferences. Responsible to maximize individual choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of individuals, families, and team staff. Acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance abuse services, education, support, and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide peer recovery services to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorders (SUD).
• Provide peer counseling to validate the individual's experience, provide guidance and emotional support, to assist individuals in becoming actively involved in the recovery process, and assist the individual in articulating personal goals for recovery.
• Assist individuals in the identification of goals and objectives by helping them determine problems, identify their own recovery goals, and discuss possible objectives/interventions based on the individual's recovery/life goals.
• Provide ongoing observation of the individual's progress and response to treatment and communicate with the treatment team; utilize recovery coaching, peer support, and/or mentoring to assist individual in meeting their recovery goals.
• Document individual progress in order to maintain a permanent record of individual activity according to established methods and procedures.
• Co-facilitate health, wellness, and WRAP classes as needed, and provide mentoring to promote hope, self-determination, and empowerment.
• Assist individuals in setting up and sustaining self-help support groups; provide transportation as necessary to assist individuals in applying for benefits/assistance, attending educational classes/groups, visiting other agency programs, etc.
• Assist staff in identifying program environments that are conductive to recovery; lend insight into substance use disorders and mental illness and what makes recovery possible.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform such other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Documentation will be reviewed by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Self-knowledge to manage own recovery process.
• Good oral and written communication.
• Basic computer skills.
• Experience as a recipient of mental health services.
• Skills to establish supportive relationships with individuals of services.

Job Requirements

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED:

College degree or have a high school diploma, or have at least one year of paid or volunteer work experience with SUD.

Applicant must have passed Peer Certification Exam or be eligible to sit for the exam through the Department of Recovery Services.

Valid Driver's license and copy of DMV safe driving record.