Agency Profile: Spectrum Health & Human Services respectfully partners with adults, children, and families as they recover from behavioral, emotional, mental health and/or substance related disorders by offering individualized and meaningful opportunities of hope, empowerment, and support to achieve self-defined improvements in their quality of life.

Full-time: 2040 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY/ 1298 Main Street, Buffalo, NY

SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTION:

Peer specialists are adults who are individuals who have themselves experienced mental illness, substance use, or trauma conditions. The Peer Specialist provides the ACT services from a lived-experience and non-clinical perspective for individuals enrolled with Spectrum Health and Human Services ACT Program.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Knowledge and demonstration of agency core values in day-to-day activities

• Engagement, bridging support, parent skill development, and crisis support for individuals experiencing social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use challenges in their homes, and/or communities.

• Provide psychoeducation, counseling, person centered goal planning, modeling effective coping skills, and facilitating community connections and crisis support to reduce symptomology and restore functionality.

• Services are provided in individual or group settings to promote recovery, self-advocacy, and the development of natural support and community living skills.

• Individuals or family members actively participate in decision-making and the delivery of

• services.

• Services are directed toward the achievement of the specific, individualized, and result-oriented goals contained in an individual’s treatment plan developed under the supervision of a competent mental health professional.

• Promote advocacy on behalf of the individual and support self-advocacy.

• Assist in the development and utilization of self-help tools.

• Peer recovery supports and peer counseling

• Transitional supports

• Provide pre-crisis and utilize crisis support services

• Peer bridge services, and assist individuals transitioning between service systems or between residential or inpatient settings to the community

• Self-advocacy, self-efficacy, and empowerment

• Build and maintain community connections and natural supports

• Foster a positive role model relationship, especially in sharing one’s own recovery from behavioral health issues

  SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:

• Proficient in the use of computer software such as MSWord, Excel, Power Point, Desktop Publishing, Outlook, etc.

• Ability to engage and connect with individuals who have a behavioral health disorder and their families/support systems.

• Motivational Interviewing

• Ability to develop a WRAP and or Wellness Management and Recovery

• Cognitive Behavioral Motivational Enhancement Therapy

  EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Current NYCPS Certified Peer Specialist Credential or working toward attaining it.

• High school diploma or GED

  EXPERIENCE:

• Preferred one (1) year work-related experience

• Utilization of electronic data systems (i.e. electronic records and computers)

• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and a vehicle with an acceptable driving record

• Must be current or former recipient of behavioral health services or have a family member who has or is receiving behavioral health services

  COMPENSATION: $20.08/hr - $25.60/hr