Peer Support Specialist

About the role

We are hiring for a Peer Support Specialist at RHA Health Services. This position offers a satisfying and fun opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and those facing mental health and substance use challenges.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides essential expertise and consultation to the entire interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote a culture where each individual’s point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities.
• Serves as an advocate for the person supported.
• Meets with clients to provide advice and support in accordance with the treatment plan.
• Affirms clients in peer support groups with assigned consumers on a regular basis.
• Supports/assists clients in daily decision making and resolution of minor problems.
• Accompanies clients to meetings and participates in meetings of community groups to advocate for consumer needs, leading recovery dialogues/self-help sessions with clients.
• Fosters client’s development of healthy relationships by encouraging participation in community activities.
• Observes behavior and evidence of general well-being and discusses observations with the clients.
• Models effective coping and self-help techniques to individuals or groups of consumers.
• Provides advice to clients on empowerment skills and successful community living.
• Informs clients on community resources and how to use them appropriately, providing information to consumers and families on specific topics, as assigned.
• Able to work as a member of a healthcare interdisciplinary team with a focus on ensuring successful recovery and overall mental health for clients.

Job Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent.
• One year of experience working with persons with the population supported.
• Certified as a Peer Support Specialist or one continuous year as a current or former recipient of treatment (including mental health/substance abuse treatment or diagnosis) and eligibility for certification as Peer Support Specialist by the governing agency.
• Completes a minimum of twenty (20) hours of training specific to the required components of the specific service definition including crisis response within the first 90 days of employment.
• Valid drivers’ license and automotive insurance.
• Passes background check and drug screen.
• CPR, first aid, NCI and/or role related certification, a plus.
• Physical requirements to perform essential functions of the job included: Regularly required to lift 10 lbs. Must be able to lift a minimum of 15 lbs. Must be able to pull minimum of 10 lbs. Must be able to squat, kneel, crawl, crouch, climb, and stoop. Must be able to regularly use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Required to regularly stand and walk. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in CPR from the floor level requiring to work on hands, knees, bending, standing and lifting. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.

Benefits

• Payactiv: early access to the money you’ve earned from hours you’ve already worked, before payday!
• Employee perks and discount program: to help you save money!
• Paid Time Off (full-time employees only)
• Health/Insurance (full-time employees only)
• 401(k) retirement savings program
• Wellbeing Programs: Physical, Emotional and Financial
• Chronic Disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes (for qualifying employees)
• Training: Free CPR, first aid, and job-specific training opportunities

About RHA

RHA Health Services helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and/or substance use needs live their best lives. Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment while creating opportunities for personal outcomes. For over 30 years, the people we serve and support have remained at the very center of everything we do. RHA currently provides services in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and New Jersey.