Peer Support Specialist (ACT Team)

Elizabeth Layton Center Inc; Paola (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Benefits package

Paid time off

Wellness resources

Collaborative team

Growth opportunities

Work-life balance

Job summary

Elizabeth Layton Center is seeking a qualified Peer Support Specialist to join our ACT team in Paola, KS. This position focuses on recovery-oriented, community-based support to adults with serious mental illness within Assertive Community Treatment services.

The role emphasizes building consumer skills, fostering independence, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to promote recovery and community integration.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification in the State of Kansas to provide the service (background checks and training).
• The provider must self-identify as a present or former primary consumer of mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Help consumers build a support network from peers and others with similar experiences.
• Assist consumers in regaining ability to make independent treatment decisions and discuss concerns with clinicians.
• Support consumers in identifying triggers and responses to prevent functional impairment.
• Collaborate with ACT team and participate in interdisciplinary meetings.
• Complete required daily paperwork and provide quality documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and complete trainings.

Skills

Empathy

Active listening

Crisis support

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma

Kansas peer support certification

Job description

The Elizabeth Layton Center is seeking a qualified Peer Support Specialist to join our ACT team in Paola, KS. If you thrive in a vibrant, supportive, and inclusive work environment, this is the opportunity you’ve been looking for!

Who we are:

Elizabeth Layton Center (ELC) is honored to be designated a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), with locations in Ottawa and Paola, KS. CCBHCs offer a model of care focused on accessible and integrated behavioral health services. Our vision is to be recognized as the provider of choice for coordinated physical and behavioral health services in the communities we serve. ELC specializes in working with underserved populations to meet the growing needs unique to their situation and life experiences.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation
• A comprehensive benefits package
• Generous paid time off
• Wellness resources to support your well-being
• A collaborative, supportive team environment
• Ongoing opportunities for professional growth
• A healthy work-life balance

Summary

The incumbent will provide Peer Support (PS) services to adults within the ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) program. Peer Support services are consumer centered services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus designed to promote skills for coping with and managing psychiatric symptoms while facilitating the utilization of natural resources and the enhancement of community living skills. Activities included must be intended to achieve the identified goals and objectives as set forth in the consumer’s individualized treatment plan. The structured, scheduled activities provided by this service emphasize the opportunity for consumers to support each other in the restoration and expansion of the skills and strategies necessary to move forward in recovery. PS is a face-to-face intervention with the consumer present. Services can be provided individually or in a group setting. The majority of PS contacts must occur in community locations where the person lives, works, attends school and/or socializes. The position reports directly to the ACT Team Coordinator.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Helps the consumer develop a network for information and support from others who have been through similar experiences
• Assists the consumer with regaining the ability to make independent choices and to take a proactive role in treatment including discussing questions or concerns about medication, diagnoses or treatment approaches with their treating clinician
• Assists the consumer with identifying and effectively responding to or avoiding identified precursors or triggers that result in functional impairments
• Works in conjunction with other mental health center staff and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings
• Meets deadlines for daily paperwork
• Provides quality documentation
• Performs other duties as deemed appropriate by immediate supervisor or designee
• Completes all required trainings as assigned
• Complies with ELC policies and procedure

ELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and considers all applications irrespective of race, marital status, sex, age, skin color, religion, nationality, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Certification in the State of Kansas to provide the service (which includes criminal, abuse/neglect registry and professional background checks, and completion of a state approved standardized basic training program)
• The provider must self-identify as a present or former primary consumer of mental health services

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to relate and work creatively and energetically with consumers
• Relates a positive approach to complex mental health issues
• Communicates directly and effectively in a cooperative manner
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and consumers
• Ability to be sensitive to cultural and ethnic differences
• Ability to safely perform major job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations