Peer Specialist

Assertive Community Treatment Team

Position Description

Southwestern Mental Health Center, Inc.

Position Title:  Certified Peer Support Specialist

Department:  Assertive Community treatment team (ACT)

General Work Hours:  Daytime Monday through Friday, as needed

Exempt/Non-Exempt:  Non-Exempt

Supervisor:  Team Lead

Position Summary:  As a member of the ACT team, the Certified Peer Specialist provides support services as a consumer advocate for clients on the ACT team. Acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions. Also, under clinical supervision, provides education, support, consultation, and crisis intervention to the client.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required:

1. Be at least 21 years of age.
2. Have high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
3. Must have good oral and written communication.
4. Must be a current or former consumer of mental health services.  Must have skills to manage their symptoms and be well along in their own recovery.
5. Must demonstrate leadership and advocacy skills.
6. Must have a strong commitment to the right and the ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in normal commitment residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
7. Must have the skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and respect for the clients’ rights and personal preferences in treatment.
8. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements:

1.    Ability to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, reach, stoop, and crouch.

2.    Must be able to sweep, mop, shovel, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Supervision Requirements:

1. Prior to having direct contact with clients, staff must:
   1. Complete first section of orientation checklist, and
   2. Have a background study submitted to the department.
2. Prior to working independently, staff must:
   1. Complete orientation checklist,
   2. Receive background study clearance from the department, and
   3. Successfully completes the DHS approved Certified Peer Specialist training and certification exam
3. Complete a minimum of 16 training hours annually.

Essential Functions:         

1. Provides a part of a wraparound continuum of services in conjunction with other team members, which include a Prescriber, Team Lead, one RN, a Chemical Dependency counselor, a Vocational Specialist, other mental health practitioners and office staff.
2. Provide nonclinical peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer to validate clients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
3. Serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment.
4. Promotes socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports and maintenance of skills learned.
5. Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each clients’ individualized point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which client self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.
6. Help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self stigma.

Other Responsibilities:                                    

1. Is sensitive and responsive to the management needs such as data collection and program evaluation. Timely paperwork must be very clear and concise.
2. Be a great team player, supporting team work. Our team is very busy and the work can be stressful.
3. Ability to travel as required. The team covers 5 counties in Southwestern MN. We have office vehicles so use of personal vehicles is very limited.
4. Performs other work-related duties as assigned.