MHUC: Peer Support Staff in Burlington, Vermont at Pathways Vermont

Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC) Peer Support Staff - $2000 Hiring Bonus Available

The Company: Pathways Vermont provides community-based mental health services and collaborative learning that centers people as the experts of their own lives. We strengthen our communities and the system of care by elevating the voices of lived experience. Pathways offers a great benefits package including dental and health insurance, generous paid time off and paid holidays.

The Program: Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC) is like traditional physical health urgent care, and fills the gap between emergency care and primary care. MHUC will offer adults over 18 years of age mental health support services, peer support, care management, and medical assessment/care in a trauma-informed setting, as a therapeutic alternative to emergency department care. These services are provided through a joint partnership with the Howard Center, Community Health Center, University of Vermont, and Pathways Vermont.

The Role: The MHUC Peer Support Staff are supervised and hired by Pathways Vermont. The MHUC Peer Support Staff will use their lived experience of navigating what is commonly referred to as mental health challenge or crisis to build authentic and mutual relationships with guests. This position supports guests through specialized training, including Intentional Peer Support, in both the peer support room and in consultation meetings. MHUC Peer Support Staff will support individuals to live self-directed lives of their own choosing. MHUC Peer Support Staff will not coerce or pressure people they support to participate in any service, including peer support. MHUC Peer Support Staff will represent peer support values/ethics and model this for staff in our partner agencies at MHUC.

Available Positions: 1

Location: In Person (Burlington, VT)

Schedule:

M-F, 10 AM - 6 PM

Hourly position

Required to attend weekly team meetings, co-reflection, and supervision

Supervised by: MHUC Team Lead

Application Requirements: A Cover Letter and Resume are required with your application

Responsibilities:

• Provide confidential peer support utilizing choice-based, person-centered, risk reduction, and strengths-based approaches

• Maintain an available presence and readiness at MHUC to engage in relationship and rapport building with guests

• Co-create, organize, and structure the peer support space at MHUC

• Be available to co-respond with HowardCenter and/or Community Health Center staff to serve as a peer advocate in meetings after obtaining consent from guest

• Support guests in understanding and exercising their rights while receiving mental health services

• Communicate programmatic expectations and limitations to guests

• Awareness and adherence to understanding of MHUC policies and procedures, including emergency protocols

• Maintain written and computerized records and complete other program documentation as needed

• Remain up-to-date on peer support and alternative mental health resources by reading related books/articles available at the MHUC and attending relevant trainings

• Facilitate referrals to community services and activities

• Participate in meetings about guest’s service course alongside guest’s MHUC team

• Attendance at assigned meetings and training is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee’s manager/HR

• Participate in Howard Center relevant training and team building activities and training as assigned

• Complete the Certified Peer Support Provider (CPSP) process

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Direct lived experience of what is commonly referred to as a mental health challenge or crisis (not solely substance use) and willingness to share when appropriate. Lived experience with mental health crisis services/response is considered an asset

• Ability to meet the requirements of the Certified Peer Support Provider (CPSP) process with The Copeland Center

• Ability and willingness to share one’s own life experiences with intentionality and thoughtfulness

• Commitment to providing quality peer support and alignment with peer values/ethics

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences including people who have experienced marginalization, oppression, and injustice

• Willingness to self-reflect, learn, and take responsibility. Willingness to practice new ways of being in relationships and to seek support when needed

• Ability to negotiate crisis situations and set professional boundaries and personal limits

• Ability to independently meet job requirements and prioritize downtime with program focused activities and tasks

• Risk and discomfort tolerance. Willingness to try to find reconnection after disconnection

• Experience working effectively as part of a team

• Communication, writing, and computer skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience working in previous peer support roles and understanding of the peer movement’s history

• Professional peer support experience, Intentional Peer Support certification, and CPSP certification preferred

• Awareness of or experience with at least two of the following: the consumer/psychiatric survivor/ex-patient movement, mad pride movement, neurodivergence, risk reduction, and healing justice and disability justice

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication

• Frequent utilization of close visual acuity and reading from a computer screen, must be able to read information captured in type and free hand form

• Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery, including frequent typing

• Occasional reading responsibilities

• Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds

• Occasionally stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, standing and lifting of arms to participate in space organization and other activities in the peer room

• Occasional exposure to high levels of noise and persons who are upset, angry, or in an extreme state

• Rarely running or moving at very swift speed in an emergency situation

Compensation:

• $21/hr
• $200 Hiring Bonus Available

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance

• Long Term Disability/Life Insurance

• Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)

• 9 Paid Holidays Annually

• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• Longevity Recognition Rewards

• Access to a wide variety of Pathways facilitated trainings

• Access to Lake Champlain Chamber benefits, including discounted tuition at Champlain College and University of Vermont

• Student loan/tuition assistance with Vermont Care Partners

It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve, and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.