peer support worker resume examples

Peer Support Worker Resume, Job Description, and Skills

A peer support worker is responsible for working with families, clients, and care personnel to provide guidance and assistance in improving the well-being of clients who may be going through emotional, or mental challenges.

The work can be quite complicated, depending on the type of case that one is handling, but is quite fulfilling once a goal has been achieved.

The peer support worker cover letter and resume are the most crucial part of the Peer Support Worker job application set.

The primary purpose of writing a Peer Support Worker resume is to make sure that you communicate it to a prospective employer that you have what it takes to become part of his or her organization.

The following example of a resume will guide you on how to write an excellent resume for a peer support worker job.

Sample Resume for Peer Support Worker Position

Caleb Wright 552 Rocky Road Baltimore, MD 26310 (000) 241-8574 [Email]

PEER SUPPORT WORKER

SUMMARY Patient, compassionate, and resourceful peer support worker with 10+ years of experience in working collaboratively with departments and people to support clients, and care support groups. Demonstrated ability to act as a coach and mentor, to assist clients in meeting their mental and emotional health goals.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS • Implemented a series of mental health and wellbeing programs, which greatly helped clients with different types of conditions. • Introduced the concept of group therapy, which was quite well-received by both clients, and their families. • Devised a unique client advocacy system, which proved to be 80% more efficient than the one already in place. • Singlehandedly managed 16 cases at the same time, in the absence of 2 other peer support workers. • Assisted clients in setting goals, and sharing and discussing everyday experiences. • Identified and strengthened service provider partnerships to improve support services. • Developed and maintained links with community organizations, and obtain referral information.

CORE SKILLS ✓ Community Outreach ✓ Support Work ✓ Goal Setting ✓ Self-pride Promotion ✓ Mentoring ✓ Tier-1 Support ✓ Client Advocacy ✓ Self-esteem Building

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Peer Support Worker Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, MD 2013-present • Engage clients in conversation to determine their specific mental and emotional health. • Interview family members to assess the social and personal backgrounds of all assigned clients. • Create resources for clients to help them profoundly handle their issues and placements. • Advocate clients’ rights to resources and connect them to the right people within the community. • Perform relationship-building exercises to assist clients in becoming integral parts of the community. • Act as a coach and mentor for clients, aiming to lead them through the perils of their conditions. • Participate in goal-setting activities for clients, and assist them in reaching their targets. • Create and maintain records of all clients, and associated activities, accurately and confidentially.

Peer Support Aide Great Harbor Services, Baltimore, MD 2008-2013 • Assisted peer support workers in performing intake work and helping form filling activities. • Created and maintained records of all clients in assigned areas, and ensured their confidentiality. • Provided support in assisting clients in determining their goals, and pulled them through the process. • Encouraged clients to remain positive at all times and provided training in handling crisis situations. • Handled incoming and outgoing mail and correspondence, in accordance with provided instructions.

EDUCATION Bachelor’s Degree in Community Services Maryland State University, Baltimore, MD

CERTIFICATIONS Current First Aid and CPR

LICENSE Current Maryland Driver’s License

Peer Support Worker Job Description

• Engage clients in conversation to determine their specific problems and conditions and record every detail in an appropriate manner. • Act as a coach and mentor to help clients set their goals, and share and discuss shared experiences with them. • Establish and maintain productive relationships with clients and their families, and develop trust and rapport effectively. • Identify clients’ requirements for internal and external assistance and take measures to arrange them. • Develop and maintain liaison with relevant service providers to improve the support of care personnel dealing with mental or emotional illnesses. • Initiate and maintain relationships with community organizations that provide support to programs. • Provide advice, facilitate care personnel participation in service delivery, and determine the efficacy of each plan, through appropriate evaluation. • Keep updated on practical knowledge and understanding of issues that people with mental illnesses face. • Maintain appropriate boundaries, while establishing stable relationships with clients, and care personnel. • Identify problems and collate information to develop appropriate responses, such as the implementation of core solutions, to overcome client and care personnel problems.

Peer Support Worker Skills for Resume

You cannot possibly deem a peer support worker’s resume complete if it does not host a skills section. Many applicants choose to leave it out, erroneously believing that lack of it won’t be noticed.

The fact is that hiring managers look forward to reading the skills section so that they can determine what a candidate is all about, and how well he will be able to work in their organization.

Skills information can be tricky to write though. When you write the skills section, you have to make sure that it gels with what the hiring manager is looking for. And the best way of finding out what a hiring manager is looking for is to go through the job description that he or she has provided in the job advertisement. That way, you will be able to gauge exactly what it is that a future employer needs from an employee.

Once you have collected information on what is required, you need to organize it in well-developed skills statements. These statements must be written very carefully, as they will be used to convince a hiring manager that you are the best out of the lot – that is, if you are, considering what you write in your skills statements.

Sample Hard Skills for Peer Support Worker Resume

• Highly experienced in working collaboratively with personnel to support clients and support groups. • Effectively able to act as a coach and mentor to help clients set their goals, and share and discuss shared experiences with them. • Demonstrated expertise in identifying clients’ specific mental and emotional health issues, by engaging them in conversation. • Well-versed in assisting in the creation, development, and implementation of support programs, aimed to meet the individual requirements of each client. • Documented success in promoting the benefits of specialist counseling for care personnel, and family members. • Exceptionally talented in developing and maintaining useful links with relevant service providers, care personnel, and community groups to improve support functions. • Competent in initiating and maintaining relationships with community organizations that provide support to individuals with mental illnesses. • Qualified to give advice on, and facilitate care personnel participation in service delivery. • Proven ability to contribute to, and cooperate with the measurement of program outcomes. • Focused on assisting in the planning, organization, development, and facilitation of care support group activities.

Peer Support Worker Education & Qualifications

To work as a peer support worker, you have to possess a degree in community services, or psychology, depending on where you are being hired.

As far as personal qualities are concerned, one has to be compassionate, patient, and friendly, as one often has to work with people (and in the circumstances) that test your patience to the highest.

Also, it is important for people working as peer support workers to be analytic, and possess the ability to handle more than one case at a time.

The capability of creating and implementing core support programs, in sync with the specifics of each situation is essential in this work, as is the ability to evaluate and adjust programs according to the dynamic needs of each client.

Moreover, you need to be committed to this work, if you want to be successful at it – your own goals and aims should be outlined appropriately as well.

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Peer Support Specialist Resume Examples

Writing a great peer support specialist resume is important because it is one of the first things a potential employer will see when they are considering you for a position. It is your opportunity to make a good first impression and sell yourself as the best candidate for the job.

Create your resume Select from 7 professional resume templates

If you're looking for inspiration when it comes to drafting your own peer support specialist resume, look no further than the samples below. These resumes will help you highlight your experience and qualifications in the most effective way possible, giving you the best chance of landing the peer support specialist job you're after.

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Essential Components for a Peer Support Specialist Resume

Creating a standout resume as a Peer Support Specialist is crucial for showcasing your expertise in aiding individuals with mental health or substance abuse challenges. A well-structured resume should effectively highlight your empathetic nature, knowledge of recovery techniques, communication prowess, and resilience.

Let's delve into the various sections of a Peer Support Specialist resume, their significance, and how to optimize each one to capture the attention of hiring managers.

1. Personal Information and Contact Details

Begin your resume with your personal and contact information. This section is essential for providing your name, address, phone number, and email to the hiring manager. Accuracy and currency of this information are vital for seamless communication.

How to List Contact Information for a Peer Support Specialist Resume

Include professional social media profiles like LinkedIn or personal websites showcasing work-related content, keeping the section professional and to the point. Note that while some countries may require additional personal details, in the U.S., privacy and anti-discrimination laws mean you're not obliged to provide such information.

Ensure your email address is professional, and your voicemail is clear and concise. Your contact information should be prominently placed at the top of your resume and double-checked for accuracy.

2. Professional Summary or Objective Statement

This section is a brief yet impactful overview of your career highlights and qualifications that align with the Peer Support Specialist role. It should underscore your suitability for the position and your passion for the field.

Highlight your experience in providing support, any relevant training or certifications, and notable achievements that demonstrate your effectiveness in peer support.

Your objective statement should reflect your career goals within peer support, such as helping others overcome challenges or advancing in the field.

"Certified Peer Support Specialist with over 5 years of experience offering empathetic assistance to individuals with mental health challenges. Proven success in developing coping strategies and fostering personal recovery. Eager to contribute my skills in a supportive environment to make a positive impact on people's lives."

This summary showcases your relevant skills and your commitment to helping others, which is crucial for a Peer Support Specialist.

Related: Top Peer Support Specialist Resume Objective Examples

3. Work Experience in Peer Support Roles

The Work Experience section is where you demonstrate your practical skills and knowledge. List your previous peer support roles, detailing responsibilities and achievements, and emphasize experiences that show your ability to provide support and work with diverse populations.

Quantify your achievements where possible to make a stronger impression on recruiters.

4. Relevant Skills and Competencies

This section should be tailored to the job description, showcasing the skills that make you an ideal candidate for the role. Include communication skills, empathy, experience in peer support, understanding of recovery principles, and other relevant competencies.

Provide examples or measurable achievements related to each skill to strengthen your resume.

Related: Peer Support Specialist Skills: Definition and Examples

5. Education and Certifications

List your educational background and any certifications relevant to the Peer Support Specialist role, such as CPR and First Aid, or specialized certifications like CPS or CRSS. Include any specialized training or continuing education courses that are pertinent to the field.

Related: Peer Support Specialist Certifications

6. Training in Peer Support Programs

Detail any formal training programs, certifications, or practical experiences that have prepared you for a career in peer support. Highlight courses like Mental Health First Aid or ASIST, and any ongoing professional development activities.

7. References or Testimonials from Previous Employers or Clients

Endorsements from those who can attest to your abilities and effectiveness in peer support can greatly enhance your resume. Select references who can speak to your skills and obtain their permission before listing them.

Include concise yet powerful testimonials that reflect your positive impact in previous roles.

By carefully crafting each section of your resume, you can present a compelling narrative of your qualifications and readiness for a Peer Support Specialist position, setting you apart from other candidates.