Peer Educator

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits

Paid time off accrual

Student loan forgiveness programs

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD in Houston, TX is seeking a Peer Educator to support treatment teams by delivering medication training and peer-to-peer initiatives. You will help develop and sustain peer programs, lead education groups, and assist staff with training materials.

You will collaborate with clinicians to enhance care, ensure services meet regulatory guidelines, and provide psychosocial rehabilitation to people with severe mental illness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in human services or related field required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist or pursue CPS training within 8 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develops and coordinates peer group meetings and peer-to-peer discussions.
• Collaborates with trainers and clinical staff to integrate peer groups into care.
• Ensures services meet eligibility criteria and are authorized.
• Provides skills training and psychosocial rehabilitation to address mental illness symptoms.
• Responds to crises to reduce symptoms and prevent hospitalization.
• Assists consumers in accessing necessary care and services.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Time management

Self-directed

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor degree in human services

Advanced degree preferred

Certified Peer Specialist certification

Tools

EMR software

Job description

Brief Description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Peer Educator to join our team! Supports the treatment team in providing medication training and support to consumers. This includes developing and maintaining peer programs, peer lead education groups, and other peer to peer initiatives that build resiliency an develop and enhance consumer skills. Assists trainers in developing and maintaining training materials for new and existing staff.

Your Role In Action

• Develops, coordinates and implements the provision of peer group meetings and peer to peer discussion groups that will enhance consumer’s ability to better manage their needs.
• Works collaboratively with trainers and clinical staff to enhance the overall quality of the clinical care and incorporate peer groups into the clinical care of the consumers.
• Ensures all services provided meet eligibility criteria and are authorized in accordance with agency and regulatory guidelines.
• Provides skills training and psychosocial rehabilitation services that address the severe and persistent mental illness and symptom related problems that interfere with the individual’s functioning.
• Provides interventions in response to crisis to reduce symptoms and avoid admission to a more restrictive environment.
• Performs activities to assist consumers in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services based on individual needs
• Provides training/education on the nature of mental illness, the importance of medications, and other medication related information as outlined in the MTS/DSHS curricula.
• Monitors consumer progress with treatment goals.
• Provides communication to all staff on ongoing efforts to develop peer to peer programs and consumer led education groups, and coordinates access to these groups through all providers.
• Meets divisional productivity standards as outlined in the mental health division’s operational guidelines
• Performs related work as assigned. Adapts to changing work requirements.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct in all clinical and professional activities.
• Complies with agency policies and procedures accrediting/regulatory bodies and performance contract documentation requirements.

Education

What qualifications you will need:

• Bachelor degree in human services (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology) required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist / have equivalent certification or must take the Certified Peer Specialist training within 8 months of hiring.

Experience

• Lived experience of having at least 12 months treatment history from one of the severe and persistent mental/substance use diagnosis
• Must self-identify as a user of Mental Health Services with no crisis services utilized within a year, and no hospitalization within a year. May consider one stay within a year if it was a short duration.
• Background check is required.
• Prefer experience of being in a mental health crisis.
• Prefer experience with non-traditional housing.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• In good standing with the credentialing agency for Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist in the state of Texas.
• Familiar with navigation of the Mental Health Public System.
• Computer literate, able to learn and navigate EMR and other necessary programs and applications.
• Strong communication, listening, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Effective time management skills and organizational skills.
• Able to work collaboratively with others in a teamwork environment.
• Work well within office and field settings.
• Self-directed.
• Able to follow the Policy and Procedures of The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD.
• Group affiliations a strong plus, i.e., NAMI, DBSA, AA, NA, etc.

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What Else You Should Know

• The ideal candidate will be based at 3737 Dacoma St. Houston, TX 77092.
• This posting is associated with position #2688-99702

About Us

The HARRIS CENTER is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provided care to over 96,000 people in fiscal year 2023!

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.