Peer Support Specialist

Merakey; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

DailyPay

Goga well-being platform

Care.com access

EAP

Tuition reimbursement

Learning platforms

Job summary

Merakey seeks a Certified Peer Specialist to join the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team in Norfolk, VA. This role focuses on empowering consumers through your lived experiences and recovery-focused support.

The position offers a starting rate of $24.00/hour, with duties including wellness coaching, symptom assessment, and transportation for treatment plans. Merakey emphasizes comprehensive benefits and equal opportunity employment.

Qualifications

• CPRS or CPS certification is required or could be obtained within the first year.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must have been a recipient of mental health services for serious mental illness.
• Clinical experience with adults with severe mental illness preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Apply wellness management skills to assist consumers on their recovery path using WRAP and IMR.
• Provide personalized coaching to empower consumers and support recovery objectives.
• Share lived-experience insights to connect with individuals receiving mental health services.
• Support ACT Team with symptom assessment, psychiatric rehabilitation, and transportation for treatment plans.
• Participate in ITT processes and contribute perspectives to consumer care.
• Conduct cross-training for the ACT Team to integrate consumer perspectives into treatment plans.
• Attend internal and external treatment team meetings and daily clinical team meetings.

Skills

Empathy

Coaching

Peer support

Education

CPRS or CPS certification

High school diploma or GED

72 hours peer support training (within first year)

Job description

We are seeking a Certified Peer Specialist to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team in Norfolk, VA. If you're passionate about empowering others through your lived experiences and promoting recovery, we want to hear from you!

Starting rate of $24.00/hour

As a Certified Peer Specialist on our ACT Team, you will:

• Apply wellness management skills, incorporating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), to assist consumers on their recovery path.
• Provide personalized coaching to empower consumers and support their recovery objectives.
• Share insights from your lived experiences to connect with and aid individuals undergoing mental health services.
• Offer direct support to ACT Team members, including ongoing symptom assessment, psychiatric rehabilitation, integrated dual disorder treatment (IDDT), medication management, and transportation for treatment plans.
• Participate in Individualized Treatment Team (ITT) processes, contributing valuable perspectives to consumer care.
• Conduct cross-training for the ACT Team, fostering a culture that recognizes, values, and integrates consumer perspectives into treatment plans.
• Attend and actively engage in internal and external treatment team meetings, daily clinical team meetings, and other relevant sessions.

Our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model supports individuals with serious mental illnesses who may not have experienced success or haven't found effective support within traditional outpatient programs. We offer tailored services emphasizing relationship-building and active involvement in enhancing functioning and symptom management.

Services involve weekly home visits, provided either in individuals' residences or within the community, utilizing personal vehicles for client transportation and community-based tasks.

Benefits

Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) certification. Consideration may be given to candidates who complete 72 hours of peer support specialist training and certification within the first year of employment.
• High school diploma or GED
• Must be or have been a recipient of mental health services for serious and persistent mental illness.
• Clinical experience working with adults with severe mental illness preferred.
• Valid Driver's License and access to own vehicle.