Peer Support Specialist

West Central Behavioral Health, the non-profit community behavioral health center serving lower Grafton County and Sullivan County, New Hampshire, is embarking on a four-year, transformational effort to become a federally-recognized Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. This will enable West Central to continue to provide high-quality, person- and family-centered mental and substance use disorder services to 10,000 underserved individuals of all ages, including our veterans, regardless of their ability to pay.

Do you have a passion for helping people? Do you have past lived experience or provided help to family members or close friends?

The Peer Support Specialist uses his/her experience of recovery from mental health and/or addiction, plus skills learned in formal training to deliver services in mental health settings to provide mind-body recovery and resiliency. The Peer Support Specialist works as part of an interdisciplinary team for clients who require community-based services and assists individuals with engaging in services and supports as part of the recovery plan.

We have roles in Mobile Crisis, Adult Services and ACT teams.

Responsibilities (not a complete list):

• Promotes recovery-oriented principles: of hope, self-efficacy, and community living skills through shared personal experience of recovery.
• Co-creates individualized Treatment Plan based upon the goals and objectives identified through assessment.
• Provides individual coaching, goal planning, and support surrounding independent and social living, career development, peer and family support, and managing crisis and stress.
• Promotes self-advocacy skills through role modeling and education.

Coaches in life skills to better manage relationships, physical health, mental health, and emotional balance.

This is a community-based position. The position talks with clients about:

• different systems and resources available
• what treatments worked for them
• utilizing specific interventions designed to support and meet recovery goals.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required
• Peer Support Specialist Certification required within 1 year of hire

Required Skills:

• Excellent organizational and communications skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to learn necessary computer and technical skills essential to the position and Agency.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to access all Agency sites
• Ability to lift, push and/or pull 10 lbs.

Other:

• Ability to obtain and maintain Agency and/or State of New Hampshire required background check(s)
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and the ability to maintain that confidence
• Ability to travel in connection with the job duties
• Have and maintain a valid state driver's license
• Have reliable transportation

Be a part of our team!

West Central provides a generous benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, critical illness, accident insurance, pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, local discounts, paid holidays and paid time off!

Ask us about creative work schedules, remote/hybrid work, full time/part time, geographic options, different shifts, job sharing, even cross-functional work to keep things interesting!

We are committed to continuous improvement of our employees. We provide ongoing education through e-Learning, in-service programs presented by internal staff and external presenters. CEUs are available for most in-service programs.

Loan Repayment Program: As a nonprofit organization providing services to underserved populations, you may be eligible to participate in the following loan assistance programs:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Agency Student Loan Assistance Program - eligible up to $10,000 over 3 years

For over forty years, West Central Behavioral Health, a community mental health organization, has dedicated itself to"...promote, preserve and strengthen the mental health and quality of life in our community." To accomplish this, West Central has assembled a team of talented professionals. Working together toward a common goal, our staff served nearly 2,700 children, adolescents and adults last year.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Veteran- and Recovery-Friendly Workplace!!