Title: Peer Support Specialist, Part-Time (16 hrs/week)
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Supervisor: Peer Support Specialist Supervisor
Direct Reports: None
Pay Rate: $21.50+/hr
Organization
Emma Norton works with women, children, and families who are homeless and have the added challenges of mental illness, chemical dependency, or both. Safe, permanent housing combined with programs and support services provide an environment where victory over homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency becomes a possibility.
Emma Norton Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the intent and resolve of Emma Norton Services to comply with the requirement and spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity and affirmative action. In the recruitment, selection, training, use, promotion, termination, or in any other personnel action, there will be no discrimination based on race, creed, color, religious belief, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic documentation, membership or activity in a local commission, status regarding public assistance or any other characteristic protected by law. Emma Norton Services fully complies with all government requirements for carrying out Equal Opportunity Policies related to the protected classes mentioned above.
Purpose
The peer support specialist (PSS) uses a non-clinical approach that helps recipients discover their strengths and develop their own unique recover goals. The PSS models wellness, personal responsibility, self-advocacy and hopefulness through appropriate sharing of his or her story. Programming provided at Emma Norton provides stability, education and awareness, with Harm Reduction and Housing First practices integrated throughout the services.
Emma Norton Services offers a Living Room program for walk-in mental health services for individuals in crisis. This revolutionary model is the first of its kind in Minnesota and is run solely by Peer Support Specialists. The Living Room is open 7 days a week from 12-8pm, and Peer Support Specialists are expected to work a minimum of two shifts per week while the Living Room is open. This part-time role will be around 16 hours per week, depending on individual preference and supervisor agreement. One 12-8pm shift on Saturday or Sunday will be required, and other days are flexible.
Responsibilities
- Client Engagement
- Serves as a mentor and role model to clients to promote engagement in mental health and housing search services.
- Works collaboratively with other team members and client to identify goals and create a person-centered service plan.
- Models a recovery approach and demonstrate coping skills.
- Works alongside clients to develop skills in socialization, problem solving, self- awareness and awareness of others
- Provides instruction, modeling and feedback in the area of supportive living skills, including modeling completion of chores.
- Fosters a positive and engaged community
- Supports the resident community to increase community building skills and community membership skills
- Assists participants as needed to identify and address community concerns and issues
- Facilitates peer mediation as needed
- Assists participants to identify opportunities for community integration and developing natural support networks
- Participate in Crisis Living Room services
- Assist with de-escalation of guests in crisis
- Complete assessment of guest’s needs and assist in facilitation of appointments to outside resources as needed
- Collaborate with Peer Support team to connect guests to services in the community
- Facilitate warm handoffs to local emergency services as needed
- Follow-up with guests 48 hours after they visit
- Functions as a Team Member
- Follows through with own job responsibilities and assignments
- Engages in constructive problem solving and conflict resolution, assists other team members in doing the same
- Provides information needed by other team members in a timely and effective manner
- Offers assistance to team members as needed
- Willing to give and receive feedback to and from team members
- Takes direction from supervisor or manager and accepts and implements team decisions as made
- Other Duties
- Participates in staff and team meetings
- Promotes community awareness of Emma Norton
- Attends community meetings as relevant and necessary
- Participates in agency efforts to promote a mutually respecting, multicultural environment and participates in training opportunities related to economic, racial and cultural diversity as requested
- Completes and maintains up-to-date knowledge and expertise in areas related to job duties including the completion of HIPAA and Vulnerable Adult training within the first 7 days of hire
- Performs other duties as apparent or assigned
Requirements
- Successfully complete the DHS approved Certified Peer Specialist training and certification exam
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Have a primary diagnosis of mental illness
- Be a current or former user of mental health services
- Ability to undergo and pass a background study as detailed in Minnesota Statute 144.057 and Chapter 245C
- Able to interact with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, respect, and professionalism
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Moderate physical effort, with intermittent lifting or carrying limited to no more than 50 pounds
- Duties may require physical ability to climb stairs
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $21.50 - $21.75 per hour
Work Location: In person
