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Peer Support Specialist

Center For Mental Health
Apr 03
Full-time
On-site
Helena, Montana, United States
Peer Support

Full-Time | Non-Exempt | Helena - Crisis

Peer Support Specialist 

Position Overview: Peer Support Specialist provides crisis-based peer support services that are designed to promote recovery, empowerment, and community integration of individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Will facilitate opportunities for individuals receiving the crisis service to direct their own recovery and advocacy process, by teaching and supporting individuals. Promoting the knowledge of available service options and choices of natural resources in the community and help facilitate the development of a sense of wellness and self-worth. Utilizes own lived experience of recovery to support individuals in crisis, providing hope, emotional support, advocacy, and connection to long-term services. 

Job Duties: 

  • Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help clients to develop a personal recovery plan and identify opportunities to provide support as clients work to achieve their recovery goals.
  • Listens and encourages clients to talk about their lives, struggles, and goals. 
  • Must make themselves available to all clients who enter the crisis facility to support wellness recovery through direct service care.
  • Promotes client self-determination and decision-making.
  • Coaches and supports clients who are developing the necessary skills for integration into the community.
  • Advocates for clients working in recovery that are developing life skills and building confidence to attain goals.
  • May interact with referral contacts within the community.
  • Ability to maintain boundaries and role identity and remain person-centered for quality clinical care. 
  • Demonstrate strong communication during high stress circumstances.
  • Links clients to resources identified within the crisis recovery plan.
  • Models’ competency in recovery and maintaining on-going wellness.
  • Liaison with other members of the treatment team to develop an effective support system for the client.
  • Monitors and supports client through consistent interactions and peer support. 
  • Report concerns, records progress notes on clients; completes incident reports and calls to multidisciplinary team as needed.
  • Must complete and pass medication training test within initial probation period and provide medication transport. 
  • Works independently within the facility and cooperatively with the team.
  • Maintains records, reports, and statistics necessary for program functioning and in accordance with MWRH policies.
  • Must self-identify as a consumer of behavioral health and be in recovery.
  • Must pass Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist (BHPSS) certification within one (1) month of employment. 
  • Must participate in peer support training consisting of one week of 40 hours of initial training, any additional provided and requested by MRWH, and 20 CEU’s annually. 
  • Clinical supervision requirement of 1 hour required for every 20 hours worked. 
  • May work varied shifts including holidays.   

Minimum Qualifications:  

  • GED or High School diploma required.

  • 1-2 years’ experience in dealing with mental illness issues and related mental health services.  
  • Must have a personal recovery experience for mental health and/or substance use.  
  • Must be in recovery for 2 years.
  • Without incarceration, hospitalization, or inpatient admission exceeding 72 hours in the last 2 years.  
  • Must have some knowledge and experience of severe mental illness and treatment, and its impact on consumer/survivors and their families.  
  • Computer skills are preferred.
  • Must obtain Certification within 1 month of hired date.   


Hourly Rate: $16.50 + DOE


Shift Differential   

Day shift $1.00 an hour.  

Evening and night shift $2.00 an hour.

Weekend hours are Friday from 11:00 pm until 9:00 am on Monday, $2.00 an hour.  

Benefits:   

  • 401K Matching Contributions
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Health Savings Account
  • Flexible Work Schedule
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Birthday
  • Pet Insurance

All Positions at Many Rivers Whole Health must pass Background Checks and Motor Vehicle Record Checks.

About Us: 

Since 1976, we have been dedicated to 13 counties in Montana and seek to serve a variety of both individuals and groups in all settings. We define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace, school place and financial stressors — alongside those of chronic, severe disabling behavioral health conditions. with an integrated team of specialists and a personal approach to wellness. Today, we are focused on becoming Montana's healthcare provider of choice.

We are committed to recruiting qualified employees, continually striving for advancement, and above all, working as a team to meet the health needs of clients living in our 13 counties. Our vision is to be the healthcare provider of choice for clients and employer of choice for employees and providers. We will achieve this vision by committing to a culture of integrity, safety, evidence based exceptional care, compassionate customer service, and great work environment.  

Mission: Many Rivers Whole Health partners with people and communities to serve the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – by providing expertise in wellness, mental health, and substance use disorders, addressing prevention and treatment with a recovery-based approach.

Vision: To be a community based, highly respected organization known for excellence in mental health and addiction recovery services; offering compassionate, client-focused, professional support.

Beliefs/Values: Ambassador of Many Rivers, Own it, Individuals Matter, Create Joy, Embrace Change, Show Up. Step In.

About Helena:

Helena is the capital of Montana, and a great base for adventure. There are 75 miles of trails that start in Helena for biking and hiking. Two stunning National Parks are close enough for a day trip. Closer to home, Helena is a fisherman’s dream come true as you’re based near the Missouri, Blackfoot, and Clark Fork Rivers as well as many smaller streams and tributaries. Helena offers something for those more inclined to city pleasures, too. The city features a wealth of museums, theatre, live music, food, shopping, and more. Kids of all ages can enjoy the city’s many parks, water parks, skate parks, indoor rock climbing, ice rink, and so much more.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Many Rivers Whole Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/AA/M-F/Vet/Disability). We encourage all qualified individuals to apply for employment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on protected veteran status, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis protected by applicable law.