Mental Health Center of Denver

Aurora, Colorado, United States

Peer Specialist - Team 614

Posted over 1 month ago

Job Description

EMPLOYMENT VALUE PROPOSITION: Mental Health Center of Denver provides you with the support you need to help you develop a career in helping others succeed. We innovate, adapt, and leverage the diverse perspectives of the people on our team and the people we serve in everything we do.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVENESS: The Mental Health Center of Denver values and is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to ending bias and discrimination in our community and ensuring equity within all aspects of our organization. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, transfer, or promotion opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gende-r identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

COMMITMENT TO PAY EQUITY: Mental Health Center of Denver is committed to fair and equitable hiring with salaries based on relevant factors, such as work experience, education, and certification/licensure (rather than wage history). Toward the principle of equal pay for equal work, we post and hire within defined hiring salary ranges. We ask all applicants to carefully review the hiring salary range for each posted job opportunity, as we will not hire outside the predetermined range.

BENEFITS STATEMENT: All full-time, benefits eligible employees will be eligible for MHCDs benefits plan. For a full description of benefit offerings, please visit: https://mhcd.org/workplace-of-choice/.

COVID-19 VACCINATION NOTICE: Covid19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption is required for employment with the Mental Health Center of Denver. Applicants who are not vaccinated at the time of offer acceptance can ask for instructions on where to go to obtain vaccination or on how to request an exemption. Newly hired employees must be fully vaccinated (that is, at least two weeks past their final does of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen) and provide proof, or have an approved medical or religious exemption, on or before their start date.

Learn what it is like to work at the Mental Health Center of Denver:

STARTING SALARY:

  • Peer Specialist I - $24.04/hr
  • Peer Specialist II - $25.04/hr

POSITION SUMMARY: Within clinical environments, help people served reach their personal goals and live healthy lives by supporting them in a variety of life activities. Support and supplement the work of clinicians as they provide treatment, counseling, therapy, and healthcare services to the people we serve. By sharing personal information and experiences about ones own mental illness, strategies, coping skills, and lessons learned in moving toward recovery & wellbeing, assist people we serve to move toward their own recovery & wellbeing. Peer Mentors follow the principals of Intentional Peer Support in an effort to facilitate autonomy, choice and mutuality in the peer relationship.

Peer Specialists may work in one of the following programs/teams (or similar programs):

  • Clinical Site/Residential/Rehabilitative Based Program
  • Community Based Program
  • Social Impact Bond Team
  • Rental Assistance Program

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Orient persons served to programs, available services, and other general information about the organization and community partners.
  • Report clinical concerns and high-risk behaviors and safety issues as they occur to clinical program staff and/or supervisor. Follow guidance and directions from other clinical staff and supervisor.
  • Meet with persons to discuss disposition plans, personal safety plans and create an informal opportunity for persons to address the fears and concerns related to trauma and crisis.
  • Documentation in Electronic Health Record - obtain National Provider Identification for billing purposes. Clear distinction of no treatment planning - formal counseling or therapy.
  • Work with program staff to develop and maintain resource directory available to persons served.
  • Assist clinicians in developing and facilitating Skills Groups.
  • Assist persons in obtaining services that suit the individuals life goals and recovery needs including community and natural supports in addition to organizational supports.
  • Assist in arranging and providing transportation for appointments and services.
  • Promote collaboration and sharing of resources for persons in the community: food, clothing, transportation, recreation, medical, insurances, housing, shelters and employment, as appropriate.
  • Help identify each persons strengths, supports, and share problem-solving techniques - how to identify and overcome fears and combat negative self-talk/self-stigma.
  • Assist program staff in maintaining accurate documentation.
  • Attend program team meetings, trainings, and supervision as scheduled.
  • Learn and maintain a trauma informed environment of wellbeing.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • As comfortable, participate in the organizations and other efforts to reduce stigma, bias and discrimination, and misunderstandings about people with mental illness.

Rental Assistance only:

  • Assist in the work of Housing Resource Specialists to help people we serve find and maintain housing utilizing the HUD Section 8 certificates and vouchers system, find alternative housing, meet with landlords and tenants, and assist Housing Resource Specialists in their various job duties

EDUCATION:

  • PS I - High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. No certification required.
  • PS II - High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. Has upon hire a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist Certification.

Qualifications/Certifications:

  • Rental Assistance only:
    • Become proficient in HUD Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) web based computer system (may be obtained on the job). Upon 2 years of experience using the Colorado Division of Housing (DOH) Elite Super User computer system, employee base salary shall be increased by $1 per hour
    • Certified to perform HUD Housing Quality Standards inspections (may be obtained on the job).

EXPERIENCE: Lived experience: Have received counseling and treatment and currently continuing ones own recovery with mental health issues - past or present participation in mental health services.

  • Minimum 1 year working experience in the mental health field and/or the social work/human services field.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

  • Knowledge or ability to learn and practice trauma informed principles and practices.
  • Good communication skills, and ability to work with diverse people from all walks of life, especially the ability to be a patient, active listener.
  • Ability to operate a computer and common software programs such as Microsoft suite, search Internet, data entry into various programs
  • Good time management skills
  • Consistent and reliable attendance
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: To assist with a variety of in the field activities, able to sit, stand, bend and reach, drive, operate standard office equipment such as computer/laptop/tablet, phone, computer/facsimile/ copier/printer, and other business machines. Household appliances and equipment. Occasional lifting up to 40 lbs (to assist with a variety of daily life activities). May be required to attend meetings at a variety of locations. May be required to transport people we serve in personal vehicle

MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE USED: Valid drivers license preferred and must maintain a good driving record while employed. motor vehicle, standard office equipment.

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