Certified Peer Specialist

*This position is eligible for one time bonuses at 6 month and one year anniversaries*

POSITION SUMMARY 
Provides peer support services for those referred to the Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation.  They will provide supportive services and outreach to participants. Services provided to persons with serious mental illness, including persons with co-occurring conditions and/or chronic medical conditions.  Peer Services share lived experiences of recovery, share and support the use of recovery tools and model successful recovery behaviors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Shares personal experience with mental illness and their own personal recovery experience to help consumers develop coping skills, communication skills and problem solving skills. 

• Collaborates with CS workers to problem solves issues related to housing and housing crisis, accessing community resources to assist with basic needs as well as emergency situations, advocate for consumers in regards to receiving proper health care, and assist consumers in resolving matters of significance. 

• Promotes wellness and coping skills by assisting consumers to identify individual warning signs and help develop ways to prevent relapse. 

• Works in coordination with CS Workers to engage consumers in activities which enhance wellness, supporting individual recovery goals. 

• Actively assists consumers to develop personal recovery plan by developing recovery goals and assist in monitoring progress to achieving goals through ongoing guidance, coaching and support. 

• Promotes dialogues on recovery and resilience. Responsible for teaching and modeling recovery management skills and problem-solving skills. 

• Actively engages consumers to connect with other consumers and with their community at large and encourage the use of natural resources. Explore self-help groups in the community which supports integrated treatment. 

• Encourage consumers to utilize community agencies and resources which support recovery and increased social, educational, employment and recreational opportunities. 

• Attends and participates in clinical team meetings 

• Observes all rules of confidentiality relating to clinical information and treatment, both internally and when dealing with external agencies and/or individuals. 

• Maintains required training and certifications. 

• Maintains knowledge of agency technology programs and/or systems needed to do the job and uses them effectively.

• Other duties and/or responsibilities may be assigned by supervisor.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)
Education/Certifications:
• Peer Specialist Certification required
• High School diploma or equivalent preferred
• CPR/First Aid Certification required
• Valid driver’s license plus minimum state-mandated auto insurance required. 

Experience Required:
• No experience required
• 1-3 years of position related experience preferred

Required Knowledge:
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 
• Prior mental health and/or substance use knowledge required. 
• Prior healthcare technology software experience preferred.  

Skills/Abilities:
• Oral and written communication skills; ability to present healthcare information in an understandable manner to both individuals and groups as needed.
• The ability to interact with a wide range of individuals.
• The ability to maintain a high level of client confidentiality.
• Ability to travel locally and transport individuals served.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to drive to local destinations within the catchment area.  The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.