Community Health Worker/Peer Support Specialist

As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives for more than 60 years. With 25 programs we offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 23,000 people annually. Together we: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Behavioral Health/Community Health Worker (Peer Support Specialist) to join our team of talented professionals.

As a Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist in the Psychiatric Services Program, you will be responsible for the following:

• Deliver peer support services, consistent with existing Medicaid guidelines, to individual consumers or groups of consumers.
• Promote and model recovery, and assist consumers in developing skills necessary to access community resources, live more independently, improve their health and wellness, continue their education, and pursue opportunities for meaningful work in their communities.
• Public speaking and committee work within and outside of the agency are also required.

To qualify for this position, you will need the following:

• Candidates for this position must have experience receiving mental health treatment and/or recovery support services. Recipients of community mental health services are preferred. Peers must be willing to use their own recovery experience as a vehicle to helping others.

More specifically, candidates must be willing to share their personal stories of recovery with consumers, their families and other supporters.

• Peers must be willing to participate in training and supervision to enhance their effectiveness with consumers, and to improve their understanding of the fundamental principles of recovery, peer support and self-determination.
• Additional requirements include a nonjudgmental approach that reflects cultural competency and sensitivity to the unique needs and diverse experiences of adults with mental illness, their families and supporters.
• Candidates must also possess and retain a Chauffeurs license, and meet the eligibility driving requirements as defined by the current agency insurance company.
• Must have the ability to engage court-involved adults with mental health disorders, their families and supporters.
• Must be able to use their lived experience to help MHC participants navigate the network of services and supports available to them in the community.
• The MHC Peer must have an orientation toward providing community outreach services at off-site locations, including jails, police lock-ups and court settings.
• Must have the ability to collaborate effectively with law enforcement, probation, court personnel and community providers.
• Candidates must be comfortable interacting with the public under a broad range of circumstances, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Candidates must be able to organize their work and complete tasks within established timeframes.
• Candidates for this position who are eligible for certification must be willing to become certified by the State of Michigan as a Peer Support Specialist within six months of hire.

The Guidance believes that our team members are our most valuable resources, and we invest in them accordingly. We offer our employees a competitive salary, flexible scheduling opportunities, a team-oriented work environment and much more! If you are interested in becoming part of our world-class team, please submit your resume on-line at www.guidance-center.org/careers.

The Guidance Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity