Peer Support Professional

Health Solutions West is the Western slope’s largest behavioral health care organization, covering more than 23,000 square miles across 10 counties.  With over 250 employees in Western Colorado, you would be joining a mighty team of support and administrative staff, case managers, clinicians, physicians, nurses, and others in our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

Position: Peer Support Professional

Location: Grand Junction, Building F

Benefits offered to Full-Time Employees:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid time off accrual and generous leave policy
• 403(b) benefits with 6% company match

Position qualifications:

Must be someone with lived experience with mental health condition(s) and/or substance use condition(s). Must be a current or former consumer of mental health and/or substance abuse services, preferable in the public mental health system. Prior peer support training is preferred OR employee must complete 80-hour Peer Support Training provided by CO Mental Wellness Network once hired. CO Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS) credential is preferred.

Job purpose:

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, the Peer Support Professional will provide direct support to individuals experiencing mental health and co-occurring challenges. They will serve as a client advocate within systems, provide mentoring and education, and model wellness and recovery. Peer Support Professionals work directly with adults, adolescents, children and their families/supports. The Peer Support Professional will follow the ethical guidelines set in place by The National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS) in order to perform a wide range of tasks, supporting clients in regaining control over their own recovery. Peer Support Professionals provide voluntary, strength focused, person driven support in group and individual settings. Services are provided at Health Solutions West, Health Solutions West and/or other community-based locations.

Knowledge, Skill & Ability (include materials and equipment directly used):

• Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a sometimes hectic environment with frequent interruptions.
• Organizational skills and creative problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply de-escalation skills.
•  Ability to observe, report, and document client’s recovery process in electronic health record (EHR).
•  Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to utilize individual and group supervision(s) to develop proficiency in the peer role.
• Ability to take initiative while working independently and/ as part of a treatment team.
• Ability to uphold the mission and goals of HEALTH SOLUTIONS WEST/HEALTH SOLUTIONS WEST.
• Utilize interpersonal and communication skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external employees, clients and community members.
• Working knowledge of Windows based computer applications to include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and Internet access.
• Ability to efficiently utilize various computer software applications, including an electronic health record (EHR).
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including calculator, copy machine, fax and multi-line telephone.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stand or kneel and occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop.  Must have ability to sit for longer periods of time at a computer.  Employee must be able to travel between Health Solutions West sites.  May be exposed to stressful situations that involve enraged, distraught and/or intoxicated individuals with possible mental health conditions. Possible exposure to communicable disease.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must already be authorized to work in the US; sponsorships not available.