Peer Support Specialist - Community Support Team (CST)

Description

Envision Unlimited is a full spectrum of care organization serving people with disabilities from infants to 80+ years old regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability to pay. Founded in Chicago in 1948, Envision Unlimited has a legacy of evolving care delivered with empathy, every time and everywhere.  Innovative services offered across Chicagoland and Central Illinois include community living options, novel day programs, behavioral health services, employment programs, respite for families, and foster care for children with disabilities.

Purpose:

Peer Mentor will serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary team together with doctors and nurses, clinicians and case managers under the direction of a team leader. The Peer Mentor will use life experiences and knowledge of the mental health system to engage clients in active treatment, provide encouragement and support, education and recreational opportunities to help clients thrive in a community setting.

Essential Responsibilities for the Peer Mentor, include but are not limited to:

• Provide outreach and engagement services to individual clients participating in the ACT Program
• Share stories of own success in accordance with comfort level
• Facilitate group conversation with clients, family members and legal guardians about available resources at Envision Unlimited and the MH system at large.
• Have input in the development of treatment plan goals
• Accompany clients on recreational activities and Drop-in Center events
• Assist staff to develop resources for clients and link them to appropriate services
• Provide individual and group peer counseling
• Develop Crisis and medication adherence plans with clients

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and/or harassment based on religious, marital, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual orientation, or other differences.

Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming and supportive work environment.

Requirements

The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be able to pass criminal background check
• Applicants must have lived experience with recovery from mental health, and/or addiction together with working knowledge of larger systems such as the State Department of Mental Health
• Knowledge of Medicaid is a plus.
• Must feel comfortable with public speaking and have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be have a valid DL and reliable car to visit members at different locations in the Chicagoland area. 

*Preference given to Certified Recovery Support Specialists. Must be willing and able to secure certification within one year of employment if not already a CRSS.

Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:

• Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, PPO
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options  
• Company paid Life Insurance
• 12 Paid Holidays 
• Paid vacation, sick time and personal days
• 401K plan
• In house training and CEU’s
• Employee Assistance Network
• Support for pursuing clinical licensure (financial and time off)
• Opportunity for career growth & development   
• Student Loan forgiveness participant program

Envision Unlimited provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.