Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC) is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to improving mental health in our community through advocacy, education, program development, and the delivery of direct services. Our organization is looking for a motivated individual with a calling to help adults with mental illness by becoming a Peer Companion - Group Facilitator.

Peer Specialist utilizes personal experience and peer specialist training to assist others in their recovery from psychiatric illness.  May perform a variety of duties depending on strengths and/or interests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Conducts regularly scheduled self-help, peer support, advocacy, or informational groups on-site or off-site utilizing required communication, intentional peer support, listening skills training, support skills, etc.
• Utilizes knowledge and understanding of peer directed recovery-based philosophy.
• Completes necessary paperwork and records pertinent documentation.
• Maintain client confidentiality.
•  Other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience

• Six months to one year part time or full-time experience in delivery of direct services to mental health consumer/survivors (volunteer or paid), preferred.
• Six months part-time or full-time first hand experience in self-help or peer directed services and/or peer support groups.

Other Qualifications

• Firsthand knowledge of mental health service delivery system.
• Belief in the possibility of recovery for all individuals diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement and peer run or peer driven services that incorporate recovery based philosophies.
• Ability to relate to both other survivors of mental illness and psychiatric diagnosis and mental health professionals.
• Working knowledge of mental health service delivery system.
• Valid and “clean” New York State Drivers’ License, required.