Mental Health Peer Support Specialist

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist

Salary: $58,000 - $60,000

Pathways to Housing DC (Pathways DC) is an innovative nonprofit agency committed to ending homelessness for individuals with serious mental illnesses, co-occurring substance abuse disorders and/or other medical challenges in and around our Nation's capital. Pathways is one of the originators of "Housing First", in which services are provided to those in need without conditions and pre-housing requirements such as curfews, mandated sobriety or compliance with medication.

Peer Specialists have the unique role of providing recovery services, health and wellness self-management education, as directed by a certified Clinical Specialist. From a perspective based on his or her personal experience with mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance abuse, the Peer Specialist provides and coordinates a broad range of services for clients who have histories of homelessness, psychiatric disability, substance abuse, criminal justice, and other trauma.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with client in the formulation of an Individual Recovery Plan (IRP) that is reviewed and modified with client on a regular basis.
• Provide outreach, counseling, advocacy, and other needed services to clients in any environment including: the streets, shelters, jails, hospitals, apartments, office, etc;
• Use his or her unique recovery experience to teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience.
• Assist in developing and modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Assist in the development of tailored services to each client—i;e; housing placement, independent living skills, vocational guidance, appointment escorts, integrated substance use treatment, and family counseling;
• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, statistics, letters, etc.
• Assist clients to manage their monies, including preparing budgets with clients and computing expenses.
• Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services, and advocate client participation in them.
• Educate, inform and advocate for clients regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance, food stamps, etc.)
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a self-identified person currently or previously receiving mental health or co-occurring behavioral health services.
• Preference given to individuals with life experiences of homelessness and/or mental illness.
• HS Diploma/GED required, college degree helpful
• Peer Specialist Certification or training in the use of personal recovery stories in a professional setting.
• Willingness and desire to professionally use personal recovery journey to work with others as appropriate.
• One year experience working with in a mental health program helpful
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to maintain boundaries but comfortable using self and personal experiences as applicable
• Bilingual, (English, Spanish or other languages) highly desired.

BENEFITS

Pathways to Housing DC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15 days of paid vacation to start
• 11 paid holidays
• 10 paid Sick/Wellness days
• Health insurance for individuals, partners, and families
• Employer-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employer-paid Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Optional employee-paid benefits including Legal Coverage, Short-Term Disability, and Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits