What are the responsibilities and job description for the MHUC: Peer Support Staff position at Pathways Vermont?
Job Description
Job Description
Peer Support Staff Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC)
- 3000 Hiring Bonus Available
The Company : Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency that ends homelessness and provides alternative mental health services. Choice, harm reduction, non-coercion, flexibility, and person-centered support are core elements of our practice. Pathways offers a great benefits package including dental and health insurance, generous paid time off and paid holidays.
The Program : Be part of this new collaboration in Chittenden County! The new Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC), like traditional physical health urgent care, fills the gap between emergency care and primary care. MHUC will offer adults over 18 years of age mental health support services, peer support, care management, and medical assessment / care in a trauma-informed setting, as a therapeutic alternative to emergency department care. These services are provided through a joint partnership with the HowardCenter, Community Health Center, University of Vermont, and Pathways Vermont.
The Role : The MHUC Peer Support Staff will be supervised and hired by Pathways Vermont. The MHUC Peer Support Staff will use their lived experience of trauma, mental health or substance use challenges, in combination with specialized training, to build genuine and mutual relationships with guests. MHUC Peer Support Staff will support individuals to live self-directed lives of their own choosing. The MHUC Peer Support Staff will not coerce or pressure people they support to participate in any service, including peer support.
Supervised by : MHUC Team Lead
Available Positions : 1
Location : (In Person)
Schedule : (Full-Time 35-40 hours weekly) M-F, 10 AM - 6 PM
Application Requirements :
A Cover Letter and Resume are required with your application.
Responsibilities :
Provide confidential and non-judgmental peer support services to guests at the MHUC
Engage in relationship building / rapport building with guests and provide service utilizing choice-based, client-centered, harm reduction, and strengths-based approaches
Support MHUC guests at the MHUC and co-create, organize, and structure the peer space
Offer to attend meetings with MHUC guests with HowardCenter and / or Community Health Center staff and serve as a peer advocate in those meetings
Maintain thorough understanding of MHUC policies and procedures, including emergency protocol
Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation as needed
Facilitate referrals to community services and activities
Attendance at mandatory meetings and trainings is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee’s manager / HR.
Other Duties as assigned
Qualifications :
Lived experience of mental health or substance use challenges, homelessness and / or other life challenges, and willingness to share when appropriate
Commitment to providing quality peer support; experience with providing peer support preferred
Ability to share one’s own personal transformative life experiences
Value harm / risk reduction as a philosophy and practice
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form relationships form relationships with people who've experienced various types of marginalization, oppression, and injustice
Sound judgment and good problem-solving skills, including assessing risk factors
Self-motivation and ability to work independently and as part of a team
Willingness to self-reflect, learn, and practice new ways of being in relationships
Risk and discomfort tolerance
Working Conditions / Physical Demands :
Frequent talking and listening; frequent participation in exchanging ideas verbally and in writing
Occasionally stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, standing and lifting of arms to participate in space organization and other activities in the peer room
Rarely running or moving at very swift speed in an emergency situation
Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery, including frequent typing
Frequent utilization of close visual acuity and reading from a computer screen, must be able to read information captured in type and free hand form
Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
Occasional exposure to high levels of noise and persons who are upset, angry or in an extreme state
Compensation : 21 / Hour
3000 Hiring Bonus Available
Benefits :
Medical, dental and vision insurance
Long Term Disability / Life Insurance
Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)
9 Paid Holidays Annually
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Wellness Reimbursement Program
Longevity Recognition Rewards
Access to Lake Champlain Chamber benefits, including discounted tuition at Champlain College and University of Vermont
Access to a wide variety of Pathways facilitated trainings, including Intentional Peer Support
It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve, and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.
M-F, 10 am - 6 pm.
