Peer Support Intern

PEER SUPPORT INTERN

AGENCY WIDE

FULL TIME - NON EXEMPT

Thrive Behavioral Health, theCertified Community Behavioral Health Clinicfor Kent County, has been delivering mental health and substance use services since 1976. Thrive Behavioral Health understands the benefits of delivering high quality, low-cost care for Rhode Islanders. Thrive's unique programs and services are built on evidence based, person-centric care models.Our programs include: Adult Mental Health, Youth and Family, Substance Use, Housing, Teen and Young Adult, Court Ordered, and Crisis Behavioral Health. With more than a dozen locations across Rhode Island and more than 300 employees, Thrive is continuing to grow and meet the needs of the community.

General Summary: As a Peer Support Intern at Thrive, you will work under the supervision of a Certified Peer Support Supervisor (or Internship Coordinator) to learn about and participate in peer support services within a community behavioral health setting agency. This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to observe, assist and engage in peer-led support activities, helping individuals with mental health disorders and substance use in recovery share lived experience, build hope, and support one another. The role will also provide insight into how a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) operates, including client-facing work, documentation, and inter-disciplinary collaboration amongst a team of behavioral health staff that includes licensed therapists, case managers, nurses, and psychiatrists.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, First Shift

Location: Warwick, RI

Salary: $16 per hour (This position is temporary.)

Did you know... studies have shown that the number one reason a person chooses not to apply for a role is because they do not think they'll be hired if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications? Thrive understands that while certain criteria are requirements of the job, other skills can be taught to the right person. Please consider applying anyway.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Participate in orientation and training in peer support principles, ethical boundaries, confidentiality/HIPAA, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented practice.
• Shadow and assist existing Peer Specialists and peer support team members in their duties (e.g., group support sessions, one-on-one peer check-ins).
• Engage with clients in a supportive role-listening and sharing lived experience (where appropriate), helping clients connect to their strengths and develop recovery goals and actionable recovery plans.
• Work with clients to help them identify resources, supports and community-connections (housing, employment, peer groups, advocacy, etc.).
• Assist with client engagement efforts, such as scheduling or reminding clients of their appointments, peer-support groups and activities.
• The Peer Support Intern will selectively utilize self-disclosure as well as role model positive behaviors to inspire hope, share life experiences and lessons learned as a person in recovery.
• Participate in team meetings and peer supervision sessions; contribute feedback and observations to improve peer support services.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record as required by Thrive policy and confidentiality standards.
• Completion of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist curriculum (to be provided) followed by 500 hours necessary to receive certification.

Education, Experience and Competencies:

• Lived experience of recovery (mental health, substance use, or both) and willingness to draw on that experience in a professional supportive role (while maintaining appropriate peer boundaries).
• High school diploma or GED.
• Have maintained, within the last three (3) years, at least 12 months of successful full or part time paid or voluntary work experience (not necessarily consecutive) or one-year post-secondary education experience totaling 24 credit hours.
• A strong interest in peer support, mental health and substance use recovery, and community-based services.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to relate to individuals with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges in a respectful, non-judgmental way.
• Good organizational skills, ability to learn documentation systems, and comfortable working amongst a team of interdisciplinary staff, clients and their family members.
• Previous volunteer or practicum experience in mental health or peer support settings preferred.
• Familiarity with peer support models, recovery language, trauma-informed care, or motivational interviewing.
• Comfort working with Microsoft Office and willingness to learn electronic health record documentation.
• Some flexibility in scheduling to attend occasional evening or off-site peer support groups if needed.

Certifications, Licenses Requirements:

• Valid driver's license required or ability to obtain necessary transportation in order to perform the responsibilities/tasks of the job.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities in meeting the expectations of the position.

EEO/VET/LGBTQ+ Employer