Peer Support Specialist

Horizon House, Inc. is a nationally recognized provider of services to adults with support needs due to developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, and substance abuse. Horizon House is Pennsylvania’s oldest psychiatric rehabilitation agency. Since 1952, we have been dedicated to helping people with mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions, developmental/intellectual disabilities, and homelessness to stabilize their lives and to help them live as independently as possible in the community. With over 100 locations throughout South and North Eastern Pennsylvania and the state of Delaware, Horizon House provides services to a diverse population focusing on individual strength and choice.

Purpose:

• This member of the Wellness Alliance multidisciplinary team has experience as a person who has lived with a mental illness and is willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and the persons they serve.
• The Peer Specialist functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, disability management, and the persistence required by people to have a satisfying life.
• Collaborates to promote a peer culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each person’s point-of-view, experiences and preferences. Responsible for maximizing opportunities for choice, self-determination and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation and support services.
• Provides peer counseling, recovery education and consultation to program participants, families, and team staff; acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance abuse services, education support and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the supervision of clinical staff.

Supervision Received:

• Receives supervision from the Peer Specialist Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised:

• N/A

Qualifications:

• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist
• May have a college degree in the human services field or a high school diploma, or have at least two years of paid or volunteer work experience with adults with a mental illness; or any combination of experience, education or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required.
• Self-knowledge to manage his/her own mental illness and be well along in his/her own recovery.
• Skills and competence to establish supporting trusting relationships with people with mental illnesses and respect for peoples’ rights and personal preferences is essential.
• Good oral, written, and computer communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a focused team.

Scope:

• Frequent talking and listening.
• May require crisis intervention in emergency situations.
• Light lifting and/or carrying, not to exceed 25 lbs.
• Local travel required.
• Flexibility in scheduling and available to do 24-hour on-call coverage.

Horizon House, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer