Peer Support Specialist

Responsibilities include: Serve as a mentor to service participants to promote hope and empowerment in their recovery process. Act as an informal educator to other team members to facilitate understanding and empathy with each person's unique and subjective experience and perceptions. Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which self-determination and decision-making in recovery planning are supported. Assist service participant's in identifying, understanding, and combating stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self- stigma. Work with team members to identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within the team. Collaborate with the team to ensure the protection of participant's rights and to improve their knowledge of service participants' rights and grievance or complaint procedures.

Requirements:

A person who is self identified as having met the criteria for serious mental illness as defined in the Mental Health Bulletin (OMH-94-04) who utilizes or has utilized mental health and/or co-occurring services and has been trained and certified to help her/his peer identify and achieve specific self-determined goals. Must be a Certified Peer Specialist - certified by a PA State approved entity. Demonstrates knowledge of recovery/wellness principles and ability to model and mentor the recovery process and demonstrate effective coping skills. A high school diploma or GED. At least one year of paid or volunteer work; or any combination of experience, education or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required. Ability to establish supporting trusting relationships with people with mental illnesses and respect for peoples' rights and personal preferences is essential. Good oral and written communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a focused interdisciplinary team.

Scope:

Frequent interactions with peers who are at different stages of recovery. May be required to assist with crisis intervention in emergency situations in an ancillary/supportive role educating and supporting peers in the development and implementation of WRAP and Advanced Directives. Light lifting and/or carrying, not to exceed 25 lbs. Local travel required. Flexibility in scheduling and available to do 24-hour on-call coverage. Horizon House offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefit package including: medical & dental, (9) nine paid holidays, generous paid time off, tuition reimbursement, retirement savings plan, voluntary tax sheltered annuity, transit benefit program, opportunities for advancement and more. Horizon House is an Equal Opportunity Employer Licenses & Certifications Required Cert Peer Specialist Driver's license Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.