Veterans Peer Support Specialist

NOTE: This position is Grant Funded. If this Grand Funding should end at any time, you would have the opportunity to apply for any posted HealthWest position that meets your qualifications.
Must be a veteran to apply.

A Peer Support Specialist, under general review of various HealthWest program supervisors, provides a welcoming atmosphere, skills training, and instruction to individuals receiving services who may be living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse issues. An employee in this class coordinates and/or co-facilitates groups including group outings into the community, motivating individuals toward greater community inclusion, and achieving personal goals; and/or co-facilitating groups in skills training, dual diagnosis, recovery issues, substance abuse issues, and other groups as assigned. A Peer Support Specialist facilitates individual’s care by building relationships and meeting with the individuals receiving services, their guardians, families, support systems, AFC staff, and other key persons in the individual’s life. This employee transports individuals receiving services, completes necessary documentation which includes communicating effectively in both oral and written form and maintaining accurate records, including utilizing basic computer software and performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Entrance Qualifications

1. Be a high school graduate or have a certificate of completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test;
2. Been a consumer of a Community Mental Health agency at some time in their life with a primary diagnosis of a mental health condition and received treatment for at least one (1) year;
3. Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption;
4. Have a personal experience in navigating complex mental health treatment services;
5. Self-identify as having a mental health condition with a substantial life disruption and share their recovery story in supporting others;
6. Possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain a Michigan Driver License within 30 days of employment.
7. Must have reliable transportation that may have to be used to carry out job duties of this classification.
Post Hire Training Requirements
1. Must obtain certification approved by the State of Michigan as a Peer Specialist within 12 months of employment.
2. Must obtain 32 hours of required continuing education courses between the two (2) year re-certification periods.
Preferred but not Required
1. Bilingual candidates highly desired.
2. Individuals with experience in Armed Services valued.
3. Individual with knowledge of or lived experience with substance abuse preferred.

Physical Conditions / Work Location

Additional Information