Mobile Crisis Peer Support Specialist

Lakes Region Mental Health Center is looking for a full-time Peer Support Specialist to join our Mobile Crisis Response Team. The Peer Support Specialist develops meaningful and trusting relationships with patients, acts as a mentor, and gives patients the support they need to better advocate for themselves, based on their personal experiences. The Peer Support Specialist provides patients an example of what they can strive for in their recovery and works as part of an interdisciplinary team. Successful candidates will be organized self-starters who enjoy working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Peer Support Specialist

• Ability to work as part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary team that utilizes a range of evidence-based treatment modalities to help individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders work towards their treatment goals.
• Provide peer support services in the community and in homes.
• Uses own life experience to engage individuals in crisis, assist individual with engaging in services and supports, and development of an individualized recovery plan.
• Plays an advocacy role that promotes self-care, illness self-management, and wellness and recovery.
• Completes documentation and participates in team meetings.
• Performs other duties or special projects as required or as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required, relevant degree preferred
• Lived experience with mental illness, and the ability to meet the essential requirements of the job is required.
• Position requires a high level of professionalism and ethical behaviors
• Ability to sensitively work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures is required.
• Communicate effectively with peers, managers and support staff.
• Maintain all documentation that is required in a complete and timely manner and comply with all HIPAA requirements.
• Certification as a Peer Specialist or Recovery Coach, and eligible for CRSW and Intentional Peer Support certificates if preferred.
• A valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to sustain light physical effort such as frequent staging, walking, bending, stopping or reaching and/or occasional lifting of items 20 lbs. or less
• Can tolerate periods of heavy workload or excessive stress.
• Ability to walk long distances in the community, including using stairs, ramps, elevators and escalators as needed with clients.