Childrens NOVA Parent Peer Specialist

Job Details

Job Location:

Childrens Main Office - BIRMINGHAM, AL 35213

Position Type:
Part Time

Education Level: High School

Job Shift: Day

Job Classification: NOVA Certified Parent Peer Specialist

NOVA provides treatment for individuals ages 15-25 who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The Parent Peer Specialist is a non-clinical staff hired to work in partnership with families who have a youth or young adult experiencing a first episode psychosis. The Parent Peer Specialist serves as a role model and works with families by sharing their own experiences while providing effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.

Supervised by: NOVA Program Coordinator

Division:
Children’s Services

Normal Work Hours/Days:
Varied schedule based on needs of youth/young adults served - up to 20 hours/week

• Must be a parent or caregiver who has cared for a child who has experienced psychosis on a day-to-day basis
• Have a strong sense of compassion, understanding, empathy, and life experience in order to support families and their children
• Be self-motivated, have a strong sense of working boundaries with self-disclosure and family working relationships
• Have strong communication skills and be a good listener
• Provide ongoing emotional support, motivation and encouragement to help families with identifying their strengths and needs
• Have the ability to work with diverse families
• Meet with families by telephone and face to face meetings in the family’s home or an agreed upon location
• Have experience with negotiation and dealing with conflict
• Serve as an active member of the client's treatment team, including participation in team meetings and treatment planning meetings
• Provide psycho-education with focus on illness management and family support
• Maintain accurate and thorough records on all assigned cases and use documentation to assist the client and family in evaluating progress
• Provide advocacy services on behalf of the family
• Inform supervisor and other members of the treatment team of issues/concerns related to individual families

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have personal experience with children’s mental health, who is willing to share his/her personal experiences. Must be a parent or caregiver who has cared for a child/young adult who has experienced psychosis prior to the age of 26.
• Must become certified as a Certified Parent Peer Specialist by completing DMH-approved training(s). Must understand and endorse a recovery-oriented approach to providing services.

• Must be dependable.
• Must be teachable and honest.
• Ability to share skills and knowledge with others
• Ability to use one’s experiences as a family member of mental illness/addiction in a manner that is thoughtfully delivered to ensure youth/young adults and their families are not negatively influenced but empowered and motivated toward a healthy lifestyle.
• Must be able to mentor to and advocate for youth and young adults who have mental health needs and their families.
• Must be a good role model.
• Should have a personal vehicle readily available to use.
• Should be energetic and passionate.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team
• Should be open to job requirements and have the ability to facilitate groups and activities.
• Should be available to work afternoon/early evening hours or weekend hours based on needs of the youth/young adults.
• Should be flexible, adaptable, integrative, and creative.