Peer Supporter - Un Paso Mas
Location: Huntington Park, CA
Hours: Monday through Friday-some weekends
FLSA Status: Non-exempt, full time 36.25 hours per week
Reports to: Program Director
Summary: Works under general supervision of the Program Director to provide peer to peer support and/or self-help services to other clients and their family members as needed, requested or directed.
Essential Functions: This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Association’s operations.
Develop support groups on mental health education and self-help opportunities and services for clients as identified, needed or requested.
Develop and implement support group for adults experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
Provide supportive assistance to and the modeling of self-advocacy with the client to help them obtain their goals.
Encourage and support client’s skill and talents.
Research, develop, plan, coordinate and/; or offer structured workshops.
Completes documentation and other paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, and in accordance with PRPSN standards and funding source requirements.
Create linkages in the community with academic skills enhancement resources, social and recreational activities.
Work actively to develop strategies for outreach to clients who tend to isolate themselves.
Establish and maintain communication with contacts at the centers, schools, or churches in which the groups take place.
Required to update supervisor of all threatening development in the groups, update on outside activities performed by the volunteers, and keep supervisor posted on all venues or potential contacts.
Promotes and reminds individuals that Un Paso Mas main objective is to educate the Latino community on Mental Health issues while reducing stigma.
Works cooperatively with others to assure the smooth and seamless delivery of comprehensive services to members
Attends required training and meetings and participates actively in the community life of the worksite.
Clerical, data entry, fax, copies, sort and distribute mail, produce letter of attendance, minutes, and reports
Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the program and activities.
Must have a desire to work with individuals impaired by extreme distress / mental illness and believe in an individual’s ability to recover from disabling mental distress.
Must verbalize an initial and ongoing understanding of environmental variables that may present while performing administrative tasks and/or providing direct services as an PRPSN employee (i.e. individuals presenting at the agency in extreme emotional states).
Must exhibit good personal judgment, a non-bias attitude, sensitivity, and discretion when dealing with other individuals. Must demonstrate the skills and ability to “work and play well with others” interacting with co-workers, program participants, family members and community partners effectively and responding appropriately when experiencing interpersonal conflict with others.
Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.
Models PRPSN approach, mission and core values in all communication and correspondence.
Skills:
Education
HS diploma or GED required – Certificate(s) of training in peer support preferred.
Experience
Knowledge of or experience with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health billing procedures preferred. Position is excellent for an individual who desires to enter/progress in the public health or mental health arena.
OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
The position is reserved for an individual with lived experience of psychiatric disability or mental illness.
Peer Advocate Certificate/Training and demonstrated experience in peer support, peer advocacy or self-help. Obtaining a Peer Specialist certificate within 6 months will be required for any candidate that doesn’t currently have one.
Experience working in the mental health field or other social services.
Fluent in English and Spanish
Knowledge of/experience with Peer Advocacy highly desired.
Class C driver’s license and clean driving record. Proof of valid automobile insurance and ability to be insured by Project Return’s liability insurance.
All employees that drive personal vehicles for daily job functions must provide proof of auto liability insurance of a 30,000 / 60,000 policy upon the first day of employment, maintain required coverage amounts and provide ongoing documentation of continuous coverage.
Flexible schedule which may include occasional evenings, weekends and holidays.
Basic knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. PowerPoint highly desired.
Experience working with a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds and with varied skills/education.
Must be able to bend, stoop, lift and push up to 25 pounds or a regular
Physical Demands: In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow different individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.
Must be able to bend, stoop, lift, and push up to 25 pounds or a regular basis, stand and move intermittently throughout the work day.
Benefits:
Health Benefits
We offer a choice between two different HMO's, dental and vision care.
Paid Time Off
We offer a combination of 11 holidays, 2 weeks of sick time, 2 weeks of vacation time and 2 personal days off per full time employee
403 B Retirement
We offer a voluntary 403 B retirement plan for your future
Employee Assistance Program
We offer an EAP that is confidential and supportive for personal, family and work issues. EAP is available 24/7