Peer Support Specialist- The Plaza Clubhouse - NAMI San Diego

Company Description: NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental illnesses.

Program Description: NAMI SD/IC Clubhouses operate under the Clubhouse International Model for psychosocial rehabilitation, with the goal of empowering adults living with mental illness to live vocationally meaningful and socially satisfying lives. Our program provides a uniquely supportive and collaborative Clubhouse setting where Members (program participants) and staff work together to operate all aspects of the organization in an atmosphere built on principles of mutual respect and caring.

Primary Responsibilities/Function: The Peer Support Specialist's foundation is building trusting relationships and working side-by-side with members to create a community culture of opportunity and inclusion. The Peer Support Specialist will engage members in Clubhouse activities of their choosing and promote the work-ordered day structure of the Clubhouse. The Peer Support Specialist will help members connect with employment, education, housing, and health support within the community and may be required to provide transportation using a company vehicle. The Peer Support Specialist will participate in Clubhouse social events, where evening and weekend coverage may occasionally be needed. The Peer Support Specialist shall provide training and coverage on transitional employment job placements and contribute to job development. The Peer Support Specialist will acquire and retain Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification and may be required to complete Medi-Cal billing documentation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support a Work-Ordered Day structure, where members and staff work side-by-side to perform all duties of the Clubhouse.
• Engage members' participation in Clubhouse work and opportunities, including reception work, food preparation, newsletter production, job development, snack-bar sales, data entry, and more!
• Manage multiple projects and diverse personalities, while maintaining a positive and energetic attitude throughout the day.
• Identify and reinforce member strengths and assess for appropriate support.
• Model a strong dedication to recovery and be willing to share lived experience regarding behavioral health and system navigation.
• Provide on-site training, assistance, and coverage for members on Transitional Employment Placements within the community.
• Participate in Clubhouse evening, weekend, and holiday events, and model positive relationship building.
• Using lived experience, promote self-sufficiency by assisting member to access community resources, including behavioral and physical health care, education, self-help and advocacy, transit, benefits, housing, money management, cultural, faith based, leisure and recreation opportunities.
• Assist in enrolling individuals in NAMI SD/IC Clubhouse and assist new member within 30 days to identify vocational, educational, social, housing, recreational and health goals, and update member file minimum every six months.
• Document data entry in ClubHOMS and other in-house tracking systems as needed. This position may be required to complete additional documentation for Medi-Cal billing.
• Obtain Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification within 90 days of hire and retain certification throughout course of employment.
• Complete all trainings in a timely manner as required by NAMI SD/IC in accordance with our program contract, including trauma-informed care, recovery language, de-escalation, and motivational interviewing. This may include an out-of-state, two-week comprehensive training on the Clubhouse International Model.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Accountability: The Peer Support Specialist reports to the Program Manager

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times..

Minimum Requirements, including linguistic and cultural skills, education, experiences, licenses and certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelor's Degree in mental health, human resource field, or other related degree, preferred.
• Self-identified as having lived experience with behavioral health recovery, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver or family member of a consumer.
• Professional or personal experience working with individuals with SMI (Serious Mental Illness).
• Must have a satisfactory driving record.
• Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Must have a working knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles.
• Basic knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel) and web navigation.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Reliable and consistent attendance.
• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.