Locations: Chiefland, FL and Lake City, FL
Rate of pay: $15.00/hour
This is a very important position, in that a Peer Specialist has a perspective of individuals coming to receive treatment services that few professionals have, experiencing and receiving treatment services in treatment settings. It is not uncommon for people with similar lived experiences to offer each other practical advice and suggestions for strategies that professionals may not offer, or even know about. Those personal experiences are what makes the Peer Specialist and empowering helper, through the sharing of their stories of recovery and their willingness to share tools they have used to succeed. Peer Specialists provide hope, support, education, and assist persons served in seeing that they are more than their disorder.
Peer Positions are available in many of our programs including Mobile Response, OTP, Crisis Stabilization, Homeless Recovery, Family Services and Substance Recovery. We generally have part time and full time positions available in Gainesville, Lake City, Lake Butler, Chiefland, Live Oak and surrounding areas.
Minimum Qualifications:
Must have a high school diploma or GED.
The Peer Specialist will have experience and training in crisis intervention and follow-up. The Peer Specialist will be a consumer who has been involved in crisis situations and has successful experience with recovery activities either by personal experience or as a caregiver to a family member. Some positions may include parents, students or young adults, or others with personal lived experience. High School Diploma is GED is Required.
Drivers Requirement:
Must have a current Florida Driver's License with a clean driving record while meeting company insurance requirements.
In order to qualify as a Center Driver, the candidate must at least 21 years of age and have an active Florida Driver's license. Motor Vehicle Record will be reviewed for eligibility. No more than 3 moving violations and/or accidents within the past 3 years and no major violations during the past 5 years. Drivers over 65 years old must provide a current doctor's note stating they have no driving limitations.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
1. Provide practical real world support in coping with life's day to day demands through teaching, modeling and coaching approaches to rehabilitation.
2. Promote the value of self-help, peer support and personal empowerment to foster recovery.
3. Support each consumer to "get a life" using natural occurring resources to replace the resources of the mental health system.
4. Promote information about mental illness and substance abuse.
5. Maintain close relationships with Meridian Staff and others to best facilitate the participant's treatment.
6. Complete electronic documentation in a timely manner.
7. Comply with Meridian's policies and procedures.
8. Meet required service hours on a weekly basis.
9. Function as an advocate for consumers and model self-advocacy skills.
10. Performs other duties as required to meet program and departmental goals and objectives.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Specific competencies required are identified on a department/program specific basis and identified in each employee's Competency Checklist.Meridian is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are fully committed to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, marital status, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service or because they are a protected veteran or other non-merit based factors.