"Peer Support Specialist III"

Position Summary:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Peer Support Specialist III within the Outpatient Services of Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare.

The Peer Support Specialist III is a member of a team offering person centered, culturally competent instrumental, information and emotional support either in person or by phone. The Peer Support Specialist III uses lived experience and basic peer support skills to engage and empower persons served to support their wellness. Offers insight into the experience of living with a mental and/or substance use disorder and relevant recovery supports in order to assist staff in identifying program environments and treatment approaches that are conducive to recovery.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Engages individuals served in a collaborative and caring relationship.
• Uses his/her own lived experiences with mental and/or substance use recovery as a vehicle to establish rapport and build relationships with the individuals served and/or their family member(s).
• Demonstrates good communication skills, wellness and recovery oriented coping skills and self-help strategies for individuals served and team members.
• Assists consumers in identifying their strengths and wellness needs in order to establish recovery goals; assists in setting objectives for each goal and collaborates to determine recovery and wellness supports.
• Is actively involved in the development of the consumers treatment/recovery and where applicable assists in development of wellness and recovery plans.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least three (3) years of previous relevant experience required.
• At least two (2) of the three (3) years must be lived experience with the target population.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Office environment. Moderate noise.