Welcome to Pathways of California’s career website! If you are passionate about helping others and enthusiastic about your future, we want you to join our team!
Our company is known for an unwavering commitment to exceptional value and recovery-focused, quality care. We are experts in the field of behavioral health care, providing cutting-edge mental health and substance use community-based services and offer a dynamic employment experience! Pathways offers competitive salaries and benefits, comprehensive on-boarding and job training, a supportive learning environment, ongoing education in the use of evidence-based, promising practices and much more! We have over 30 outpatient behavioral health locations nestled throughout our communities located in Kern County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County.
Pathways is seeking an innovative and purpose driven individual to join our team as a Full-Time Peer Support Specialist at our Ridgecrest location. This position is temporary. Assignment ending 05/04/2019.
SUMMARYA Peer Specialist has been a recipient of lived experience. Peer Specialists/Mentors are fully integrated team members who provide highly individualized services in the community and promote consumer self-determination and decision-making. Peer Specialists/Mentors are also peers to the consumers and they have the innate ability to build trust and relationships with consumers. The insight resulting from this relationship is extremely useful in encouraging continued consumer growth and recovery, as well as a valuable tool that can be brought to the treatment team in gaining insight for the treatment of each individual consumer.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Carry out duties as a member of the team, under the direction of the team leader. Specific job responsibilities will vary depending on education and experience
Provide work-related supportive services, such as transportation. Use of personal vehicle is required
Perform mentoring and problem solving as well as offer encouragement on and off the job site
Support and communicate with clients timely to answer questions, while making a difference in our client’s relationships
Provide practical help and mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem solving and direct assistance to help consumers obtain the necessities of daily living
Coordination of social activities
Facilitation of groups and/or assignments as required by Lead Peer Specialist/Mentors, Clinical Manager and/or Program Director
Develop effective working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer and family/caregiver empowerment
Document all activities as required
Maintain and ensures HIPAA, ethical standards and professional boundaries with all staff and clients
Other duties as assigned or necessary to support your department and/or the company
RECOVERY REQUIREMENTS
Provide the best customer care possible
Identify and build upon the strengths of consumers, coworkers, and the communities we serve
Support consumers’ steps towards Recovery and Wellness
Create an organizational culture that respects and celebrates the diversity of our consumers
Value learning as an ongoing process that enables us to better service our consumers and establishes our leadership in the industry
Research and utilize our industry’s best practices and analyze our own services to ensure the best possible
EDUCATION/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required with computer or business courses
Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required
Consumer of Mental Health Services; Persons with a history of being consumers of mental health service or individuals with lived experience (i.e. living with a relative, significant other, or other support person who is a consumer of mental health services)
Proof of: valid California driver’s license and auto insurance, as well as proof of education are required
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Knowledge of ways to encourage consumers to explore and regain strengths, skills, and/or talents that may be inherent in individual consumers and to become more social, through community events and outings, as well as within the program’s internal activities
Skills to provide essential expertise and consultation to the entire team to promote a culture in which each consumer’s view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities
Lived experience with a mental health condition, whether a family member or personal
Knowledge of community resources and connections and experience working with peers
Good organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills are a must
Basic computer skills
Ability to effectively prioritize and manage time to meet schedule, goals, and deadlines
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Office Environment (not remote position). Requires extensive sitting with periodic standing and walking
May be required to lift up to 20 pounds
Requires significant use of computer, tablet, phone and/or general office equipment
Needs adequate visual acuity, ability to grasp and handle objects
Needs ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or on telephone
Will require off-site travel up to 80% (transport clients, county and/or client needs; and attend meetings/groups)
Pathways is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.