PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

About Us

Pawnee Mental Health is proud of the high-quality services we offer and the positive outcomes our clients achieve. Our employees are the heart of our organization, and each person contributes to our mission. We’re looking for motivated, passionate individuals who want to use their skills to support others. We believe people facing mental health or substance use challenges deserve the chance to live meaningful, productive lives. If that mission resonates with you, we encourage you to explore this role and join us in making an impact.

Benefits

• HRSA Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program for Health Careers
• Continuing Education: Up to 5 days of additional paid leave and a fund of up to $1,000 annually
• Medical & Vision Insurance: Accessible plans through BCBS or Aetna
• Dental Insurance: 100% covered by Pawnee for employees
• Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS): Lifetime pension program
• Life Insurance: Coverage up to 150% of your annual income and long-term disability insurance at no cost
• Paid Holidays: 8 paid holidays throughout the year
• Generous PTO: Start earning 8 hours of PTO per month (12 days per year), increasing to 24 days per year after your first anniversary
• Paid Medical Leave: 40-hour bank of paid medical leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to support resources for personal and professional life
• Supplemental Benefits: Additional life insurance, ambulance transportation, short-term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and more

Responsibilities

• Must be in stable recovery from a behavioral health condition, defined as having graduated from the program or currently in a maintenance phase of services. If in maintenance, services must be received from a region other than where you are working.
• Assist clients with developing a network for information and support from others who have been through similar experiences.
• Enhance clients' ability to make independent choices and take a proactive role in treatment, including discussing medications, diagnoses, or treatment approaches with their clinician.
• Review client incidents with supervisor and submit written reports as outlined in policy and procedure.
• Advocate for client rights and community integration while preserving dignity and confidentiality.
• Act as a mentor for clients by providing feedback and role modeling appropriate responses to everyday challenges.
• Ensure services provided align with the client’s treatment plan, absent a crisis situation.
• Assist clients with identifying and responding to or avoiding situations that result in functional impairments.
• Meet administrative and clinical documentation requirements in terms of content and timeliness.
• Meet direct service expectations as prescribed by management.
• Drive to community settings for service delivery, including transporting clients in a personal or company vehicle.
• Attend and actively participate in clinical supervision and program staffing.
• Provide input to supervisors and treatment team members regarding clinical and program issues.
• Attend weekly supervision with a Peer Support approved Supervisor.
• Maintain and advance knowledge and skills through training and review of pertinent materials.
• Adhere to PMHS policies, procedures, and applicable ethical codes.
• Review and comply with the Pawnee Code of Conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Perform all other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A High School diploma or equivalent.
• Current or past life experience as a primary consumer of mental health services.
• Oral and written communication skills in English.
• A valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance maintained per Pawnee policy.
• Basic personal computer skills for data entry, retrieval, and use.
• Must pass a background check and drug screening.

Preferred:

• Experience with Microsoft Office software.
• Kansas certification as a Peer Specialist (CPS); must become certified within one year of employment if not already certified.

Pay

$20.19 an hour