Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team?

At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do.

We are seeking a community-based Certified Peer Specialist to join our team in Bethlehem, PA.

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) performs a range of tasks through individual and group encounters to assist consumers in regaining control over their own lives and over their own recovery process. The CPS will role model competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills, serve as a consumer advocate, provided information and peer support in their communities, inpatient or emergency setting. The CPS also provides essential expertise and consultation to other team members in promoting a recovery-oriented culture and practice of service provision and in understanding the consumers' perspective and subjective experience. Services are provided in accordance with all existing policies, procedures and regulations and in accord with the mission and value of the company.

• Work with consumers in completing an assessment to guide recovery planning.
• Assist consumers in articulating personal goals for recovery.
• Assist consumers in determining the objectives/actions needed in order to reach recovery goals.
• Determine interventions based on consumers' recovery goals.
• Assess progress consumers make toward meeting objectives and recovery goals, guide individuals in making necessary changes to plans and celebrate individual successes.
• Assist or facilitate engagement of consumers in external groups to create plans for wellness, relapse prevention and crisis planning using tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and Psychiatric Advance Directive.
• Utilize and teach problem solve techniques.
• Teach consumers how to identify and overcome negative self-talk and fears.
• Support the vocational choices consumers make and assist them in overcoming job-related anxiety.
• Assist consumers with building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
• Inform consumers about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process.
• Assist consumers in developing empowerment skills through education and self-advocacy.
• Provide insight into the cultural stigma surrounding mental illness and demonstrate effective and appropriate techniques to combat negative stereotyping.
• Educate and assist consumers in obtaining services that suit that individual's recovery needs.
• Assist the consumer in obtaining and maintaining decent and affordable housing of his or her choice in the most integrated, independent and least intrusive or restrictive environment.
• Advocate as needed for effective recovery-based services.
• Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience.
• Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Offer a non-judgmental forum for listening and providing empathy for the struggles of consumers.
• Collaborate with other formal and informal supports to promote recovery in all service areas.
• Assist and educate, (with the individual's consent), family members and others to understand possible warning signs and triggers, appropriate supportive responses, wellness measures, and the overall recovery process.
• Assist non-consumer staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery; lend unique insight into mental illness and what makes recovery possible.
• Be a source of positivity and hope that recovery is attainable and can lead to productive, meaningful lives.
• Uphold and support the policies and standards of Merakey.
• Participate in weekly supervision and attend weekly staff meetings.
• Complete all required documentation for every consumer encounter.
• Attend required trainings to maintain Peer Certification (18 credit hours per year).
• Perform other tasks as assigned to support consumer recovery.

Earn $17.19 / hour.

Benefits

Merakey offers medical, dental - vision insurance plans, competitive compensation plans and more!

• DailyPay
• Work/Life Balance
• Flexible Schedules
• Cell Phone Discount Plans
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Care.com Membership

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year.

Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Peer Specialist Certification
• High school diploma or general equivalence degree (GED)
• Within the last 3 years has maintained at least 12 months of successful full or part time paid or voluntary work experience or obtained at least 24 credit hours of post-secondary education.
• Valid Driver's License