Peer Mentor Trainer

Peer Mentor Trainer

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Starting Rate: $22.00 per hour

Location: Buffalo, NY

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Peer Mentor Trainer operates within a team of professionals to oversee services provided to peer trainees enrolled at the BestSelf Peer Workforce Training Center. The Peer Mentor Trainer will provide outreach, training, mentorship, and on-the-job skill building, and certification support so that trainees learn to provide consumers with innovative, evidence-based, accessible, and family-focused behavioral health services to promote health, hope, recovery, and an enhanced quality of life.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide weekly supervision to trainees (group & individual) scheduled weekly

• Monitor trainee dictations/notations, final approve, provide feedback and instructions

• Ensure trainees are following the guiding principles of mental health care

• Monitor trainees interactions with participants to ensure the participant's needs are being addressed, provide opportunities for growth and education

• Provide feedback, guidance and support to trainees in each stage of the program

• Ensure proper time management, productivity, efficiency of trainee duties

• Influence a desire to establish trainee's connection with participants through engagement and empathy

• Facilitate and guide trainees through certification process

• Provide information on community resources and services

• Share support group concepts to influence a robust recovery based discussion/activity that will be provided and facilitated by supervised trainees.

• Provide opportunities for trainees to shadow and observe Senior Peer

• Review meeting minutes from monthly agency Peer Specialist supervision and offer discussion

• Must participate in agency Peer Committees and Peer Academy educational activities.

• Schedule and assigned duties are subject to change based on the needs of the program and the clients we serve.

The BestSelf Peer Workforce Training Center, Peer Mentor Trainer role is intended to support individuals across the region to obtain training, certification, work experience, and mentorship in securing and maintaining employment as a peer. Trainees will learn to deliver services to participants in a variety of aspects including, but not limited to: assisting individual's mental health or substance use treatment to promote empowerment, insight, empathy, independence, goal setting, self-advocacy, connection to support networks, community resources and involvement, developing a sense of trust, self-awareness and attitude of recovery . A vital component of this role is the concept and practice of engagement. Peer Specialists are qualified and certified individuals that use their own lived experience to promote a strong concept of recovery through support and advocacy that lead by example with the consumers served. Peer Specialists have the ability to shift a team's culture in a more person centered perspective with respect being at the forefront.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Working knowledge of community resources, including social clubs, and peer support activities.

• Ability to identify potential crisis situations and convey this information to a supervisor in a timely and appropriate manner.

• Supervisory experience in peer role

• Must be a current or former recipient of mental health and/or substance use disorder services.

• Must possess the ability to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with mental illness and substance use disorders, and maintain respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment.

• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's Degree in Human Services plus two years of advocacy experience in a human service agency or health care facility

OR

• High School diploma or equivalency and four years' experience in a human service agency or health care facility.

AND

• Must be a "peer" and have a working knowledge of the mental health system and recovery process. Must have personal "lived" experience as a former or current user of substance use treatment services or have personal substance use recovery experience and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed.

• Certified Peer or provisional certification required.

AND

• A valid NYS drivers' license.

• Automobile in good working order.

• Must have Accredited NYS Defensive driving course; or obtain within 15 days of hire.

• Must maintain Active NYS Defensive Driving class every 3 years, upon expiration.

• If driving one's own vehicle, must maintain valid inspection and automobile insurance.

• Must provide proof of insurance upon hire and when requested.

Benefits:

• Sign on bonuses for all

• Multiple health insurance options

• Employee referral bonus

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Clinical license renewal reimbursement

• Generous paid time