Peer Specialist (4406)  (Per Diem)
Program/Location: Vista Balboa (Balboa Park)

Peer Specialist – Mental Health Services for Short-Term Acute Residential Treatment (START) Program

Hours: Per Diem

This is an essential service position and you will qualify to receive the COVID vaccine once cleared to start working. CRF places staff and client safety at the forefront and follows all COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines as outlined by San Diego County, the State of California, and the CDC.

CRF: WHY IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO WORK!

Community Research Foundation (CRF) inspires and mentors the next generation of mental health professionals!  Our accredited programs reach various demographics, so you can gain experience with almost any sector of mental health services.

At CRF, we are constantly evolving and developing fresh approaches to meet the needs of San Diego County’s residents who are experiencing mental/behavioral health challenges.  For you, that means that you will have opportunities to learn new ways to provide optimal supports to your clients.  You will work within a collaborative, supportive team structure so that you can have fresh perspective and training.  Best of all, you will be involved in helping people change their lives for the better!

We have strong internal advancement options, so there are opportunities for you to grow within our company. Come join us!

Program Overview:

Located in San Diego, CA, New Vistas Crisis Center is a Short Term Acute Residential Treatment (START) program that provides intensive, community-based crisis residential services for adults throughout the North Coastal region of San Diego County. We deliver a unique alternative to psychiatric hospitalization to clients who are suffering a psychiatric crisis of such magnitude so as not to be manageable on an outpatient basis. Our services are provided in a home-like environment that specializes in the psychosocial rehabilitation of each individual.

Built around a bio-psychosocial approach, our multi-disciplinary team addresses each aspect of a client’s unique situation, including mental health, co-occurring substance abuse, housing, medical/medication needs, and establishing connections to social service supports within the community to facilitate successful transition beyond the START program.

Typical Duties of the Peer Specialist

• Acts as an ambassador to the program by welcoming, providing orientation, and engage prospective clients to the program
• Utilizes experiences as a recipient of mental health services to enhance recovery efforts of clients within the program
• Promotes and models the concept of recovery to program participants
• Serves as a member of the multidisciplinary team and shares practical insight related to illness management, life skills, and the lifelong recovery process
• Acts as an advocate for the client when appropriate
• May assist clients by driving to appointments, benefits applications, assessing social service needs

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High School diploma/GED required; some college strongly preferred
• Minimum of four years of experience providing related services to the disabled population is ideal; with Bachelor’s degree, two years’ experience is acceptable
• Experience as a person who has received mental health services or has a close family member that has received mental health services is required
• Peer Employment Training preferred, required after hire
• Previous experience working in mental health services is an advantage
• First Aid/CPR certification is required and must be kept current during employment
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, specifically Word and Excel
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment is essential
  
• Ability to pass criminal/background clearance

Benefits: CRF takes your dedication seriously and provides benefits to help you balance your work life and your personal life.  For full-time staff (30 hours or more), we offer top-of-the-line medical insurance, dental plans, paid life insurance, vision plan, retirement benefits, and generous PTO (Paid Time Off).   We also provide access to student loan repayment/forgiveness programs for graduates.

Be a part of our vibrant non-profit organization and make a difference in the lives of the people we serve!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer