Peer Educator

About the Role

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is seeking a Peer Educator to support the treatment team in providing medication training and support to consumers. This role involves developing and maintaining peer programs, leading education groups, and other peer-to-peer initiatives that build resiliency and enhance consumer skills. The Peer Educator assists trainers in developing and maintaining training materials for new and existing staff.

Responsibilities

• Develops, coordinates, and implements peer group meetings and peer-to-peer discussion groups to enhance consumers' ability to manage their needs.
• Works collaboratively with trainers and clinical staff to improve the quality of clinical care and incorporate peer groups into consumer treatment plans.
• Ensures all services meet eligibility criteria and comply with agency and regulatory guidelines.
• Provides skills training and psychosocial rehabilitation services addressing severe and persistent mental illness and symptom-related challenges.
• Delivers crisis interventions to reduce symptoms and avoid more restrictive care settings.
• Assists consumers in accessing and coordinating necessary care and services based on individual needs.
• Provides training and education on mental illness, medication importance, and related topics as outlined in MTS/DSHS curricula.
• Monitors consumer progress toward treatment goals.
• Communicates efforts to develop peer-to-peer programs and consumer-led education groups, coordinating access through all providers.
• Meets divisional productivity standards as outlined in mental health operational guidelines.
• Performs related work as assigned and adapts to changing requirements.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct and complies with agency policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human services (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology) required; advanced degree preferred.
• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist or obtain certification within 8 months of hiring.
• Lived experience of at least 12 months of treatment for a severe and persistent mental health or substance use diagnosis.
• Self-identify as a user of mental health services with no crisis services utilized within the past year and no hospitalization within the past year (short-duration stays may be considered).
• Background check required.
• Preferred experience: mental health crisis, non-traditional housing, or involvement in group affiliations (e.g., NAMI, DBSA, AA, NA).

Skills

• In good standing with the credentialing agency for Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist in Texas.
• Familiarity with navigating the Mental Health Public System.
• Computer literate, with the ability to learn and navigate EMR and other necessary programs.
• Strong communication, listening, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Comfortable working in both office and field settings.
• Self-directed and able to follow agency policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Robust retirement plan with company matching.
• Prior service credit for accelerated Paid Time Off accrual.
• Cell phone discounts and exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work.
• Free Headspace subscription for mental wellness.
• Employee Assistance Program for overall well-being.
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility as a qualifying entity.

Location

The ideal candidate will be based at 3737 Dacoma St., Houston, TX 77092.

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provided care to over 96,000 people in fiscal year 2023. The organization offers a full continuum of services at 86 sites across Harris County and provides support in over 40 languages, including sign language, to serve its diverse community. With more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents.