Certified Peer Support Specialist

Company Description: NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental illnesses.

Next Steps is an integrated care program funded by San Diego County to address the physical health, mental health and substance use needs of clients, along with their needs for food, clothing, shelter, transportation and other social services. Staff provides clients and family members who visit the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital (SDCPH) and its Emergency Unit with onsite support and resource information that promotes successful recovery and reentry into the community. The team consists of trained Peer Support Specialists, Substance Use Disorder Counselors and Behavioral Health Clinicians, most of whom have lived experience with serious mental illness, substance use or a co-occurring disorder or have a family with lived experience. Staff offer services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Primary Responsibilities/Function: Peer Support Specialists provide peer support to clients that have utilized the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital services and work with them for up to six months upon discharge from the hospital to connect or reconnect to community support systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrated ability to relate to the needs and concerns of individuals seeking services for mental health, substance use or co-occurring disorders.
• Provide messages of hope and recovery.
• Offer support, information and access to needed resources and appropriate services to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Provide information about available community resources upon discharge from SDCPH.
• Provide specialized support to family members wanting services for their loved ones.
• Offer education on outpatient services, especially if this is first psychiatric hospitalization or clinic visit.
• Provide brief individual and group recovery services, information, education, linking to community resources and recovery options.
• Accompany client on to outpatient clinic/program if needed.
• Ensure that client has transportation resources to attend first meeting at outpatient clinic/program.
• Address the needs and concerns of clients with support and access to needed resources and appropriate services.
• Document all client interactions correctly on forms and/or into computer tracking system in a timely manner.
• With support of supervisor, evaluate client for suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation and intervene to ensure safety of client and others.
• Ability to assess and maintain personal and surrounding safety.
• Responsibilities may include assisting clients by driving them to community meetings or court appointments, preparing benefits applications, acquiring IDs, aiding with access to social services, and escorting to health services appointments.
• Link clients with programs to assist with the activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene, laundry, house cleaning, grocery shopping, and budgeting money.
• Regular and reliable attendance. Report to and depart from work on time, as scheduled.
• Other duties as assigned.

Accountability: Reports to Program Director.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here 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 enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Minimum Requirements, including linguistic and cultural skills, education, experiences, licenses and certifications:

• Must have a satisfactory driving record.
• Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Basic knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel) and web navigation.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Reliable and consistent attendance.
• Grounded in own personal recovery.
• Completion of Medi-Cal Peer Employment Training and certification at the date of employment or within 90 days of hire; priority will be given to applicants who have already completed the training and are certified. Maintain certification and all requirements while employed.
• Knowledge of San Diego County's behavioral health and social services
• Prior work experience with persons experiencing serious behavioral health challenges strongly preferred.
• Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Available to work occasional evenings, weekends and holidays as required by contract. Schedule is usually Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Willing and able to drive personal car to transport clients and visit community organizations.
• Possess a valid California Driver's License and comprehensive automobile insurance as required by law.
• Will not be debarred or excluded from participation in federal programs by the General Services Administration and/or the Department of Health and Human Services of the Inspector General.
• In good standing with partner agencies.
• Clear TB Test.
• Added plus: bilingual and bicultural in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, or Tagalog or other Asian language.

Due to our work with vulnerable populations and county contractor requirements, applicants will be required to undergo a background check following a contingent offer of employment and must receive satisfactory results prior to a final offer of employment. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please feel free to reach out to HR@namisd.org.

Salary : $26 - $30