Amplify Peer Support Specialist, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Job Posting Title:

Amplify Peer Support Specialist, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

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Hiring Department:

Department of Psychiatry

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2024

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

This is a grant funded position with an end date of 12/31/2024 renewable based on availability of funding and work performance. Funding is expected to continue.

Purpose

The Peer Support Specialist will serve as a key member of a multidisciplinary team in an innovative, pilot mental health clinic that is focused on improving mental health services for young adults. This clinic is being built out of an exciting partnership between Austin Community College and the University of Texas Dell Medical School. The Peer Support Specialist will have the opportunity to contribute to and build this first-of-its-kind clinic in Texas and will coordinate care with primary care and social services providers in partnership with other community organizations.

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will use their personal lived experience with mental health challenges to connect with, validate, and provide support to young adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health conditions. The PSS will empower clients through non-judgmental listening, and will assist clients with developing and achieving their individual goals. The PSS will meet with clients to facilitate wellbeing by providing support and training around such topics as coping skills, problem solving, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and treatment engagement. Work with clients is done individually and in groups, and is conducted at the clinic, in the community, and virtually.

The Peer Support Specialist also increases community awareness of mental health challenges among young adults and what helps young people cope with and manage these challenges.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with clients experiencing mental health conditions to support engagement in services and to identify and create personal goals for treatment. Assist clients with skill building related to mental health and wellness, strengthening self-awareness, and connecting to community and support systems.

• Participate in community awareness, education, and outreach activities. Increase community awareness of young adult mental health needs and preferences, and Amplify services.

• Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team and provide discipline-specific knowledge around mental health and innovative ways to approach social and emotional needs of young adults.

• Participate in tracking and reporting of young adult goals, needs, and outcomes. Maintain current, accurate, and timely clinical documentation in accordance with law, ethics, and Amplify and UTHA policies. 

• Additional Duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Ability/ willingness to disclose own experiences with mental health challenges and mental health service utilization for the purpose of engaging and building relationships with young adults. Good interpersonal communications skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to and effectively work with participants of mental health services. Ability to exercise resourcefulness and good judgment. Ability to manage multiple streams of work. Ability to effectively handle challenging situations. Exceptional interpersonal communication skills; written and communication skills; organizational, planning, follow-up/follow-through, and time management skills.

Certification as a Peer Specialist is required, OR the individual should have the ability to obtain provisional certification within 6 months and standard certification within 12 months of being hired.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in the mental health sector including mental health services and support systems. 2+ years of engagement in mental health services and supports. Either personal or professional experience interacting with various systems (e.g., mental health, school, criminal justice, child welfare, etc.) Bilingual in English and Spanish. Experience working with young adults from underserved populations (e.g., individuals experiencing homelessness, with criminal justice involvement; people with disabilities and/or mental illness). Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, predictors and indicators of mental health challenges (especially in young adulthood), best practices in serving young adults with mental health needs. Experience with the provision of diagnostic tools