03/08/2021
Iris place is hiring a peer companion for their overnight shift.
Hiring: Iris Place Peer Companion - Overnight Shift
NAMI Fox Valley is the Fox Valley based affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The agency works to support and empower everyone touched by mental illness, to eliminate stigma, and to nurture recovery through more than two dozen education, support, advocacy, and outreach programs. We envision a community free of stigma that supports and promotes mental health and recovery.
The agency’s Iris Place Peer Run Respite program, which is funded primarily through a contract with the State of Wisconsin, provides a safe and welcoming environment with an opportunity for individuals experiencing emotional distress or crisis to grow and change through the support of others with lived experience. Iris Place’s 5-bedroom peer run respite center is run by and for individuals who identify with lived experience with mental-health and/or substance-use challenges. The program provides 24/7 peer support, linkages to community resources, and improved outcomes and quality of life for callers and guests.
Primary Responsibility and Accountability
Iris Place Peer Companions provide peer support to guests and callers through sharing of their own lived experience with mental-health and/or substance-use challenges. Peer Companions are responsible for supporting peers with crisis prevention and diversion from hospitalization, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for guests and those who call by phone, providing one-on-one and group peer support, complying with all policies and procedures, providing linkages to community resources, and utilizing their lived experience to support the needs and wants of guests and callers. Other tasks, including household chores and office duties, are expected as well.
Major Position Functions
Peer Companions are responsible for duties including, but not limited to, the following:
• Providing peer support and advocacy to callers and guests
• Being knowledgeable about the programs and services offered by NAMI Fox Valley, as well as other programs and services in the community, and assisting peers in accessing and connecting with resources.
• Screening potential guests and overseeing guest registration and checkout
• Supporting guests in working toward their Wellness Vision and goals/wants/needs for their stay
• Following and maintaining the values, policies, and procedures of Iris Place
• Maintaining accurate records of activities, including outcome data
• Other duties as assigned
Shift Coverage
The individual in this position typically will be responsible for covering 3 eight-hour shifts per week (may include weekends and holidays), typically the 8 pm-4 am shift. The individual also will be responsible for attending twice monthly staff meetings and other meetings and trainings. The individual also may be asked to cover additional peer companion shifts as the need arises.
Qualifications
• Identify with lived experience with mental-health and/or substance-use challenges and be willing to utilize their lived experience in providing peer support.
• Possess deep knowledge and experience with peer support. Certification as a Peer Specialist preferred.
• Positive philosophy toward wellness and recovery.
• Demonstrated ability to approach and support individuals through intentional listening, compassion, and understanding/knowledge of the mental health system and community resources.
• Ability to work effectively and handle multiple concurrent tasks and projects with minimal supervision.
• Possess excellent customer service skills. Be able to professionally present self and maintain positive relationships through both internal and external communication.
• Ability to work with a variety of individuals.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior, cultural awareness and ability to build trust and rapport in all activities involving individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• Follow the Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethics.
• Possess basic computer skills including word processing, data entry and e-mail, and Internet.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 15 pounds.
Preferred (NOT required) Peer Support Experience
• Peer Specialist Certification
• Recovery Coach Training Certificate
• Emotional CPR
• Intentional Peer Support
• Mental health or substance use recovery support group facilitation
• Alternative Support / Healthy Living Trainers
Values
Iris Place is values-based, and there is an expectation that staff, volunteers and guests will hold the values of the space. Peer Companions are expected to fully understand and uphold the values of Iris Place.
Our Values:
• We believe that healing happens in relationships.
• We believe in hope and that recovery is possible for everyone.
• We believe in respect for self and others.
• We believe in creating a space that is welcome and healing.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Paula Verrett, Iris Place Program Director, at [email protected]. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. We hope to place someone in this role by late March 2021.
NAMI Fox Valley is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions at NAMI Fox Valley are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, s*x, age, disability, s*xual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, family or parental status. NAMI Fox Valley values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.
