Peer Support Specialist

Merakey; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 66,125,000 - 71,635,000; Full time

Job summary

Merakey is seeking a Certified Peer Specialist to join the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team in Norfolk, VA. The role emphasizes empowerment through lived experience and recovery-oriented practices, providing coaching, symptom assessment, and transportation for treatment plans.

Starting rate of $24.00/hour, with responsibilities including WRAP/IMR implementation, cross-training, and active participation in ITT and team meetings to improve consumer outcomes.

Qualifications

• CPRS/CPS certification; 72 hours peer support training within first year may be required.
• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Must be or have been a recipient of mental health services for serious and persistent mental illness.
• Clinical experience with adults with severe mental illness is preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License and access to own vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Apply wellness management skills using WRAP and IMR to support consumers on their recovery path.
• Provide personalized coaching to empower consumers and support recovery objectives.
• Share insights from lived experiences to connect with individuals in treatment.
• Support ACT Team with ongoing symptom assessment, rehab, IDDT, medication management, and transportation.
• Participate in ITT processes and contribute perspectives to consumer care.
• Conduct cross-training for the ACT Team to incorporate consumer perspectives into treatment plans.
• Attend and engage in treatment team meetings and clinical sessions.

Skills

CPRS/CPS certification

Lived experience

Valid driver’s license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Requirements

• 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.

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.

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.

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!

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!