The Peer Specialist is an individual who has personal lived experience with mental illness and/or addiction and sustained recovery. They are willing and able to use their experience, as appropriate, to share their first-hand knowledge and insight to educate other team members and individuals about the possibility and evidence of recovery. The Peer Specialist is a fully integrated member of the care team and provides expertise about the recovery process, wellness management, and the hope and resilience to live a satisfying life of one’s choosing. They collaborate and promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each individual’s point of view, experience, and preferences. Their role is to promote individual choice, self-determination, and personal decision-making in care planning, delivery, and evaluation, and support services.
1. Provide peer support and coaching based on personal lived experiences as an individual in recovery
2. Serve as a mentor to individuals to promote hope and empowerment
3. Act as an ambassador to non-behavioral health team members to assist them in better understanding each individuals’ unique experience and perspective
4. Provide expertise and consultation from a consumer perspective to the entire care team
5. Help individuals and other care team members identify, understand and combat stigma and discrimination, internally, interpersonally and systemically
6. Support individuals in accessing health and wellness resources (e.g. self-help groups, drop-in center, recovery resources)
7. Assist in the provision of ongoing assessment and care for individuals’ behavioral health needs, including recommendations for changes in care
8. Assist in skills development related to problem-solving, social skills development, healthy leisure and recreational activities, healthy living, activities of daily living, and healthy coping strategies
9. Assist individuals in effectively accessing and using primary care, dental, and other specialists as needed
10. Support individuals in developing and implementing their own personal wellness and recovery goals
11. Facilitate discussion and training in peer groups, as requested
12. Document interactions with individuals as required
13. Attend agency, community, and supervisory meetings as needed
14. Attend in-service trainings and outside conferences/workshops, as requested by the Program Manager
15. Complete paperwork and data reports as requested by the Program Manager
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Complies with all applicable training requirements
• Complies with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and procedures
• Complies with work schedule to ensure effective operation of agency programs
• Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team
• College degree in a human services field, or equivalent or a high school diploma and a minimum of 2 years paid or volunteer experience working with adults with behavioral health conditions (severe and persistent mental illness and/or addiction)
• Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist in the state of Delaware preferred – must obtain within 1 year of hire
Thomas J. Killian Jr., PhD
Director of Behavioral Health Services
601 New Castle Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 655-6187 ext. 417
Fax: (302) 655-6606