Certified Peer Support Specialist

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center in Los Angeles is seeking a Certified Peer Support Specialist to provide peer-to-peer support and recovery-oriented services to clients with mental illness.

You will connect clients with community resources, lead groups, perform assessments, and help with benefits and entitlements, while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Experience with mental illness recovery and connecting clients to resources.
• Ability to communicate with clients and staff in English.
• Knowledge of The Recovery Model and peer-support principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide peers with community resources.
• Lead educational or wellness groups.
• Offer social activities within the clinic and in the community.
• Provide individual peer counseling.
• Provide initial assessments.
• Develop outreach strategies.
• Assist peers in obtaining benefits and entitlements.
• Document services in clinically acceptable format.
• Interface with DMH and outside agencies.
• Provide targeted case management.
• Perform other tasks as directed.

Skills

Multidisciplinary team collaboration

Community resources knowledge

English communication

Independent work with good judgment

Adult clients experience

Legible handwriting

Flexible hours/shifts

Group leadership

Email/Computer skills

Indoor/outdoor adaptability

Job description

Title of Position: Certified Peer Support Specialist

Location: Homeless

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt

Union/ Non-Union: Non-Union

Supervisor: Program Coordinator

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center, located in Los Angeles, is a non-profit organization that provides an array of comprehensive mental health services for Children, Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and Adults suffering from mental illness in the Greater Los Angeles area. The organization consists of a standalone fifty-five (55) - bed hospital and six outlying outpatient facilities that have anywhere from fourteen (14) beds to one hundred and thirty-four (134) beds. The organization has approximately four hundred (400) employees.

Summary Of Position

The Peer Support Specialist provides peer-to-peer support and self-help services to clients. The position is for an individual who has experience with, or knowledge of, the needs of those diagnosed with major mental illnesses and how to assist them with accessing community resources, etc.

Essential Duties

• Provides peers with community resources
• Provides educational, or wellness groups
• Provides social activities within the clinic and in the community
• Provides individual peer counseling
• Provides initial assessments
• Develops strategies for outreach
• Assists peers in obtaining benefits and entitlements
• Documents services as needed in clinically acceptable format.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage competing demands upon time.
• Demonstrates the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Demonstrates the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, clients, family members, visitors, government agencies/ personnel and the general public.
• Demonstrates the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Demonstrates has patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult clients.
• Is able to relate information concerning a client's condition to co-workers and immediate supervisor.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Exercises good judgment.
• Interfaces smoothly with outside agencies and representatives from DMH.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the principles of The Recovery Model.
• Provide targeted case management.
• Performs other additional tasks as directed.

Essential Skills

• Ability to work and relate effectively with multi-disciplinary treatment team, clients and public.
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and use good judgment.
• Ability to work with adult clients.
• Legible handwriting.
• Ability to work various hours and shifts.
• Ability to lead an educational or support group.
• Knowledge of computer email and knowledge of basic computer skills
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors