Peer Educator

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Peer Educator to join our team. Supports the treatment team in providing medication training and support to consumers. This includes developing and maintaining peer programs, peer lead education groups, and other peer to peer initiatives that build resiliency an develop and enhance consumer skills Assists trainers in developing and maintaining training materials for new and existing staff.

What you will do:

• Develops, coordinates and implements the provision of peer group meetings and peer to peer discussion groups that will enhance consumer’s ability to better manage their needs.
• Works collaboratively with trainers and clinical staff to enhance the overall quality of the clinical care and incorporate peer groups into the clinical care of the consumers.
• Ensures all services provided meet eligibility criteria and are authorized in accordance with agency and regulatory guidelines.
• Provides skills training and psychosocial rehabilitation services that address the severe and persistent mental illness and symptom related problems that interfere with the individual’s functioning.
•  Provides interventions in response to crisis to reduce symptoms and avoid admission to a more restrictive environment.
• Performs activities to assist consumers in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services based on individual needs
• Provides training/education on the nature of mental illness, the importance of medications, and other medication related information as outlined in the MTS/DSHS curricula.
• Monitors consumer progress with treatment goals.
• Provides communication to all staff on ongoing efforts to develop peer to peer programs and consumer led education groups, and coordinates access to these groups through all providers.
• Meets divisional productivity standards as outlined in the mental health division’s operational guidelines
• Performs related work as assigned. Adapts to changing work requirements.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct in all clinical and professional activities.
• Complies with agency policies and procedures accrediting/regulatory bodies and performance contract documentation requirements.

What qualifications you will need:

• Bachelor degree in human services (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology) required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist / have equivalent certification or must take the Certified Peer Specialist training within 8 months of hiring.
• Must have at least 12 months treatment history for one of the severe and persistent mental illnesses, and be willing to provide consent for confirmation of current or history of mental illness.
• Basic understanding of mental illness, common signs and symptoms and able to identify difficulties with coping in community settings.
• Strong communication skills, listening and interpersonal skills above average, written documentation is clear, concise, well- constructed and grammatically correct.
• Able to work collaboratively with others in a teamwork environment.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Able to execute standard word processing software on the computer.

What we have to offer:

The HARRIS CENTER offers competitive salary, excellent benefits package, retirement plans matched up to 10%, prior service credit towards generous PTO accrual, outstanding wellness programs and professional development.   

Employees can also take advantage of business casual dress code, corporate discounts, and gym memberships.  New hire referral bonus, discounts are also available on an optional basis. These include mobile phone service, fitness centers and other wellness amenities.  

What else you should know:

#10184

This position is located at 1200 Baker St, Houston, TX 77002

This position will work Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm.

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 79,000 people in fiscal year 2019 and has an annual budget of over $275 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 42 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,300 employees, The HARRIS CENTER is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

The HARRIS CENTER does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that it does not have a signed agreement with.

Accommodations

If you require assistance or accommodation when applying for open positions, please contact employment@theharriscenter.org

Salary : $37,497 - $42,508