Horizon House is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity).

Returning Applicant?

Peer Support Specialist

Req Code: 2020:2175-008

County: Philadelphia County, PA

FT/PT: Part Time

Location: 2175-Peer Support Program

Schedule: part time - 24hrs

Job Description/Essential Functions:

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.

Currently, we are seeking a part time Peer Support Specialist to work in our Behavioral Health Services Division. This position has responsibilities for functioning as a member of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that promotes self-determination, personal responsibility and empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery. They also may assist program participants with mental illnesses to regain control over their own lives and their own recovery process. Some of the responsibilities include the following:

Collaborating with the interdisciplinary recovery team,  provide program participants with counseling and support to  identify self-determined goals.

Serving as a mentor to program participants to promote hope  and empowerment in their recovery process. Acting as an informal educator to other team members to  facilitate understanding and empathy with each person's  unique and subjective experience and perceptions. Collaborating with the team to promote a team culture in  which self-determination and decision-making in recovery  planning are supported. Assisting program participant's in identifying, understanding,  and combating stigma and discrimination associated with  mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-  stigma. Collaborating with the team to ensure the protection of  participant's rights and to improve their knowledge of  program participants' rights and grievance or complaint  procedures. Increasing awareness of and support program participant's  access and involvement/participation in self-help programs  and consumer advocacy organizations that provide additional  recovery resources and supports. Serving as the liaison between the team and consumer-run  programs such as self-help groups and drop-in centers.

Job Qualifications:

A person who is self identified as having met the criteria for serious mental illness as defined in the Mental Health Bulletin (OMH-94-04) who utilizes or has utilized mental health and/or co-occurring services and has been trained and certified to help her/his peer identify and achieve specific self-determined goals. Must be a Certified Peer Specialist - certified by a PA State approved entity

Demonstrates knowledge of recovery/wellness principles and ability to model and mentor the recovery process and demonstrate effective coping skills

A high school diploma or GED

At least one year of paid or volunteer work; or any combination of experience, education or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required.

Ability to establish supporting trusting relationships with people with mental illnesses and respect for peoples' rights and personal preferences is essential.

Good oral and written communication skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a focused interdisciplinary team.

Scope:

Frequent interactions with peers who are at different stages f recovery.

May be required to assist with crisis intervention in emergency situations in an ancillary/supportive role educating and supporting peers in the development and implementation of WRAP and Advanced Directives.

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 offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefit package including: medical & dental, (9) nine paid holidays, generous paid time off, tuition reimbursement, retirement savings plan, voluntary tax sheltered annuity, transit benefit program, opportunities for advancement and more. To be considered an applicant, please you can apply at  and click on the careers tab. Horizon House, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer * M/F/Veteran/ Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Horizon House is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, Horizon House considers qualified applicants for positions without regard to  race, color, religious creed, gender identity, marital status, military status, ancestry, national origin, English Limited Proficiency (LEP), age, sex, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, source of income, familial status, domestic or sexual violence victim status, LGBTQ, AIDS or HIV status, union membership,  veteran status, psychiatric disability, other disability or other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodation is available during the application process upon request without penalty.  Horizon House is committed to these principles in our employment practices.