Peer Support Specialist, Homeless Services; Nashville, TN

Peer Support Specialist, Homeless Services (Nashville, TN)

Join the Mental Health Cooperative as a Peer Support Specialist focused on homeless services. Our organization, founded in 1993, serves individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and expands support to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Job Title: Peer Support Specialist, Homeless Services (Nashville, TN)

Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am‑4:30 pm

Salary: $19.79 (base) plus incentives for language skills and behavioral health experience; mileage reimbursement available.

Job Summary: Provide homeless individuals with support to obtain and maintain stable housing while recovering from mental illness. Follow up with high‑utilizer clients, connect them to IHC and other programs, and facilitate discharge planning.

• Work with consumers to reduce psychiatric symptoms and facilitate their ability to live in the least restrictive setting.
• Provide consumer care and support, utilizing a time‑limited model of support.
• Provide linkage and referrals to peer‑facilitated groups and supports.
• Follow up with consumers upon discharge to ensure the discharge plan is working, and assist in developing alternative plans if needed.
• Monitor consumer behavior, level of cooperation, and safety in the community.
• Prepare and facilitate 1:1 or group discussions for consumers experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
• Support consumers in understanding their psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, and medication.
• Re‑engage or re‑establish contact with consumers who have not followed through on necessary services.
• Research and share available resources with consumers and appropriate staff.
• Respond to consumers in crisis situations by providing support, collaborating with team members, and referring to crisis resources as needed.
• Assist consumers and care managers with discharge and treatment planning, including securing housing placements and other treatment plan goals.
• Work cohesively with care managers in treatment planning and coordination.
• Ensure timely and appropriate documentation as required by agency and program leadership.
• Document using the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and participate in monthly data entry meetings.
• Develop and maintain community and MHC inter‑departmental relationships through prompt and courteous follow‑up and communication.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, training opportunities, team meetings, and community meetings as designated by supervisor or program manager.
• Attend monthly supervision meetings with direct supervisor, team lead, and/or program manager.
• Advocate for consumer needs when appropriate.
• Transport consumers as needed.
• Participate in community‑coordinated events as appropriate.
• Attend annual PATH Network meeting.
• Facilitate direct collaboration between consumers and entities such as Rep. Payee, Mobile Crisis, Clinic, and Case Management to ensure consumer needs are addressed.

• High school diploma or General Education Development (GED).
• Peer Recovery Specialist Training certification from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
• Valid Tennessee driver’s license.
• Acceptable motor vehicle report (MVR).
• Acceptable criminal background investigation.
• Personal automobile insurance.
• “F” endorsement.
• Cell phone.

• Actively engage consumers in need.
• Communicate effectively with staff, supervisors, and consumers.
• Competent in motivational interviewing techniques.
• Provide internal and external customer service indicative of mutual respect and trust.
• Remain flexible and demonstrate a positive attitude in response to changing needs.
• Consistently treat consumers and co‑workers with respect.
• Maintain professional and ethical behavior at all times.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.

• Physical demands:
  While performing…