Peer Specialist

Legacy Treatment Services; New Jersey; On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Legacy Treatment Services is seeking a Peer Specialist to provide supportive peer counseling and advocacy to adults in the SCIP. You will share your recovery experience to help clients feel understood and supported while guiding them toward personal wellness goals and local resources.

The role requires knowledge of mental illness and community services; you will assess consumer status to identify needs, teach coping skills, and collaborate with staff to determine appropriate, least restrictive

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with some post-high school training
• Must be a survivor of mental illness with 1+ year in recovery
• Expected to obtain Certified Recovery Support Practitioner (CRSP) certification
• Identifies as a person with lived experience with mental health/substance use

Responsibilities

• Talk openly about your own recovery journey to help consumers feel supported and understood.
• Help consumers set personal wellness and daily life goals.
• Teach coping skills for stress and difficult emotions.
• Guide consumers to local health and community resources.

Skills

Peer counseling

Advocacy

Crisis assessment

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

AA/AS degree preferable

CRSP certification path

Job description

The Peer Specialist provides supportive peer counseling and advocacy to adult consumers receiving services in the Screening Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP). Demonstrates knowledge of mental illness and the services available in the community. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the needs of the consumers served. He or she must be able to assess and interpret data about the consumer’s status in order to identify each consumer’s needs and provide the appropriate care, including age-related care, needed by the consumer group. Required to report to work in inclement weather. Required to work 2 major holidays (New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas) annually.

Legacy operates the State-designated Screening and Crisis Intervention Program for Burlington County, providing evaluations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis or posing a danger to self, others or property.

We make it our priority to screen and triage individuals in crisis within community settings as opposed to a hospital setting. Our certified screeners and mental health professionals work together to stabilize the crisis and determine the most appropriate, least restrictive treatment option.

Job Duties

• Talk openly about your own personal recovery journey to help consumers feel supported and understood.
  
• Help consumers set personal goals for wellness and daily life.
  
• Teach coping skills for stress and difficult emotions.
• Guide consumers to local health and community resources.
  

High School Diploma or equivalent, with proof of some post-high school training, college work, or certificate program. AA/AS degree preferable. Must be a survivor of mental illness with a minimum of 1 year in recovery and must have knowledge of the mental health system. Expected to obtain certification as a Certified Recovery Support Practitioner (CRSP). Expected to identify as a person with lived experience with either mental or substance use concerns who has had no recent inpatient hospitalizations for at least 18 months

Legacy Treatment Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.