Peer Counselor

Position Summary:

The Peer Counselor will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for residents in the housing setting. The PC performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. The PC will exist as a key member of the overall housing and supportive services team.

Essential Duties:

Peer Focused Responsibilities:

• Assist residents in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to one and group sessions. During these sessions the PC will support residents in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals
• Assist residents in working with their Service Coordinator in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery.
• Assist residents in setting up and sustaining self-help groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.
• Utilize tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to assist residents in creating their own individual wellness and recovery plans.
• Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups; discussions will be utilized where residents will share common problems in daily living and methods they have employed to manage and cope with these problems. As one who has personally engaged in mental health services, the PC will share their own experiences and what skills, strengths, supports and resources they use. As much as possible, the PC will share their own recovery story and as the facilitator of these sessions, will demonstrate how they have directed their own recovery.
• Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach residents how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows residents and PC to share their experiences.
• Support residents’ vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips.
• Assist residents in building social skills in the community that will enhance overall community functioning. Utilizing their recovery experience, the PC will:

-Teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience.

-Assist the resident in obtaining decent and affordable housing of his/her choice in the most integrated, independent , and least intrusive or restrictive environment by taking them out to view housing, either driving them or riding with them on public transportation.

-The PC models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.

-Serve as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for any effective recovery based services that will aid the client in daily living.

-Assist in obtaining services that suit that individual’s recovery needs by providing names of staff, community resources and groups that may be useful. Inform residents about community and natural supports and how to use these in the recovery process.

-Assist residents in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy.

-With assistance from the Service Coordinator, the PC will work with the residents and County supports to develop a treatment/recovery plan based on each client’s identified goals. Treatment/Recovery Plans will be reviewed and signed by the Service Coordinator and other County staff as needed. The PC will document the following on the client’s treatment/recovery plan:

a. identified person-centered strengths, needs, abilities, and recovery goals

b. interventions to assist the client with reaching their goals for recovery

Program Specific Responsibilities:

• Assist with organizing, facilitating and guiding monthly floor meetings
• Support conflict resolution when residents are experiencing interpersonal challenges in the housing setting
• Interact with residents and monitor their overall well-being
• Deliver monthly supplies to the residents to ensure each resident has needed supplies and track items needed at each unit such a new coffee pots, silverware, glassware, etc…
• Conduct cleaning inspections weekly to ensure units are clean and sanitary. When necessary, assist residents in proper cleaning methods.
• Conduct monthly checks for bed bug covers. Ensure covers are on the beds and in good, undamaged condition.
• Conduct food bank run twice per month including pick up at the food bank, sorting of food items, and delivery to the homes.
• Inform Property Manager of any maintenance needs noticed in units or throughout the building
• Provide transportation to necessary appointments such as medical and case management related goals
• Coordinate monthly social outings for residents and safely transport them to and from activities
• Complete paperwork assigned in a timely manner, including all reporting, documentation, and record keeping, as well as all other duties as assigned
• Attend all required meeting
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Be in recovery from a mental illness
• Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.
• Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness (i.e. auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior, thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others, isolation) and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with severe mental illness. Community resources may include but are not limited to: social security office, Department of Family and Children services, local YMCA, Library, restaurants, clients’ service organizations, housing providers, etc. The PS may accompany clients to community resources to assist them in accessing these resources.
• Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from the mental health consumers on their strengths and interests.
• Previous experience with case management services or understanding of case management principles.
• Willingness to complete job related tasks and accept training.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• Completion of formal or informal education sufficient to assure the ability to read and write English at the level required for successful job performance.
• A positive attitude and works well with different personalities and cultures.
• Knowledge of computers including Microsoft Office, email and internet.
• Must have own, reliable transportation with clean driving record.

Livescan clearance, drug and alcohol testing, and criminal background checks are required pre-employment.

AMIH is an equal opportunity and drug free employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Candidates must be fully vaccinated from the COVID-19 virus.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Lived mental health: 1 year (Required)
• Peer Support: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CA Drivers License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $22