Peer Bridger

Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources; McComb (MS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources is seeking a Peer Bridger to work at our Pike County office in Gulfport, MS, helping adults with serious mental illnesses and/or substance use issues. The role includes training to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist and involves advocating for clients and supporting their recovery through modeling coping strategies.

The candidate should have experience in self-directed recovery and the ability to engage families and consumers in goal attainment, with

Qualifications

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be a current DMH Certified Peer Support Specialist or obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
• Must possess a valid Mississippi Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Reliable transportation needed to provide services in the community.
• Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help groups by soliciting input from mental health consumers.
• Knowledge of signs and symptoms of mental illness and ability to address symptoms with coping strategies.
• Minimum of six months, preferably twelve months, in self-directed recovery.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for consumers by providing information in terms that are understandable to consumers and families.
• Assists with targeted outreach, medication monitoring, system navigation, and advocacy.
• Engages families and consumers to help them meet their goals.
• Functions as a role model to peers by demonstrating personal recovery and coping skills.
• Provides a range of structured activities face to face to aid recovery and resiliency.

Skills

Advocacy

Group facilitation

Peer support

Education

High School Diploma

DMH Certified Peer Support Specialist

Job description

Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources is actively seeking Peer Bridger to work at our Pike County office in Gulfport, MS, focusing on assisting adults with serious mental illnesses and/or substance use issues. A Peer Bridger must be a current or former consumer or a parent of an individual who has received treatment for and self-identifies as a consumer of former mental health consumer. Upon hire, the Peer Bridger will attend a training to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist. This position plays a vital role in assisting consumers in the program by modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies based on prior experience; supporting consumers in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services; and helping them to monitor their progress.

For 50 years, Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources has served individuals throughout the Pine Belt. Through an extensive continuum of care, we strive to enable adults with serious mental illnesses, children with serious emotional disturbances, and individuals with an addiction or developmental disability to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. Our eighteen county service area includes Amite, Franklin, Forrest, Hancock, Harrison, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Covington, Greene, Jeff Davis, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, Walthall, Wayne Counties.

Our competitive benefits package includes:

• Employer paid life insurance and LTD
• Optional health, dental, vision, FSA and HSA
• Cafeteria options
• 403(b) plan
• Generous leave and holiday policy

Requirements

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Must be a current DMH Certified Peer Support Specialist or be able to obtain certification within 90 days of hire
• Must possess a valid Mississippi Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record
• Reliable transportation needed to provide services in the community
• Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from the mental health consumers on their strengths and interests.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
• Must have demonstrated a minimum of six (6) months, preferably twelve (12) months, in self-directed recovery.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for consumers by providing consumer information in terms that consumers and families can understand through various formal and informal settings.
• Assists with targeted outreach, medication monitoring, system navigation, and advocacy.
• Engages families and consumers to help them/loved ones to be successful and meet their goals.
• Functions as a role model to peers by exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills.
• Provides a range of structured activities that are provided face to face to assist individuals in their recovery/resiliency process.