Peer Support Specialist Jobs

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Peer Support Specialist is a person who has a mental health diagnosis and who is in long-term recovery. He/she will provide Peer Support services to children, adolescents, adult, and geriatric psychiatric populations. This individual will work under the supervision of the Peer Support Coordinator. Peer Specialists assist patients in developing empowerment skills, through self-advocacy. Assists with patient workshops, support groups, and other recovery activities. Share and provide recovery-oriented materials. Maintain and ensure necessary documentation of Peer Support services. Assist in the day to day operation of the Peer Support’s patient drop-in center.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Utilize active listening and problem solving skills, to identify barriers to recovery and to develop a plan to meet patient wellness goals.
Helps instill hope that is possible for a person, with a mental illness, to live a meaningful life in recovery.
Have the ability to work as a team member by following policy and procedures and work with people in challenging situations.
Willing to speak publicly at the hospital and in the community.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Experienced as a primary consumer of mental health services with a mental health diagnosis.
Possess the ability and willingness to speak publicly to groups and self-identify as a primary consumer of mental health services.
Have a primary diagnosis of a mental health condition or dual diagnosis, rather than just a substance use diagnosis, or have experienced emotional distress which significantly disrupted one’s life.
Have significant experience working on their own recovery and an ability to manage their own wellness.
Possess basic computer skills.
Have completed an individual WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) or have been certified as a facilitator, preferred.
Knowledge of a variety of community resources, preferred.
Bilingual (English / Spanish) or at least conversational Spanish skills, preferred.
Experience dealing with a forensic population, preferred

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Certified as a Peer Specialist

Initial Selection Criteria:
High School Diploma or GED
At least one year of documented experience working with persons with mental illness.

Additional Information:
REQ#569513
SALARY NOTE: The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum allowable by state law. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter 7.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

MOS Code:
Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 68L, 65A, 65B, HM, 4C0X1. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.