YourShoes Spouse/Partner Match Peer Counselor Volunteer

Location: Nationwide

Network of Strength is seeking partners or spouses of breast cancer survivors to fill volunteer positions as YourShoes Match Peer Counselors. Breast Cancer Network of Strength uniquely provides peer support through YourShoes™, a 24/7 breast cancer support center staffed by trained breast cancer survivors who know first-hand what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone who is facing the disease. The YourShoes Breast Cancer Support Center is not just for women with breast cancer. Network of Strength's services also extend to those who are supporting a loved one through breast cancer. YourShoes Support Center callers can request to be paired with a spouse/partner peer counselor who has also supported a wife, spouse/partner or other loved one through the disease. The volunteer position will be responsible for responding to callers who wish to speak to someone who has had a similar breast cancer experience. Match peer counselors are responsible for checking for match call requests daily and completing match assignments within 48 hours.

Responsibilities

• Keep current on new developments in breast cancer

• Return match request YourShoes Support Center calls and provide peer support, information and resource referrals according to Quality Assurance Standards

• Learn and practice basic peer counseling and crisis intervention techniques

• Check e-mail daily for match requests
  

Requirements

• Spouse/partner diagnosed and treated for breast cancer

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Strong customer service skills

• Patient, resourceful and have a pleasant phone manner

• Ability to work with a diverse group of people

• Participation in a 2-day training program and pass the peer counselor certification exam

• Participation in the training with an experienced peer counselor for shadowing requirements

• Personal e-mail address

• Maintain four continuing education units on an annual basis

• Adhere to YourShoes Support Center Standards (i.e. quality assurance metrics)

Time Requirement

• Return match assignments within 48 hours of acceptance

Length of Assignment

• Maintain recertification every three years

About the Organization

Breast Cancer Network of Strength™, formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization®, is a Chicago-based national nonprofit organization with the mission to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone.

To Apply

Submit a volunteer application or contact Kelly Bonen, Support Center Volunteer Manager, at kbonen@networkofstrength.org.

Certification Training Program Details

All Volunteer YourShoes Peer Counselors must attend and participate in all sections of certification training. Training locations and dates vary. >>Learn more about the training.

All YourShoes Peer Counselors must take and pass the certification exam independently, within 30 days following the training. If a volunteer fails the exam, it must be retaken within 30 days. The person does not need to retake the training. Attending and participating in the two-day training, passing the exam, and participating in systems training are all requirements for certification and for the Volunteer YourShoes Peer Counselor position.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength is an equal opportunity employer.

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