Peer Support Specialist, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) - Detroit/Wayne County

What we are looking for:

We are seeking candidates who want to join our impact-driven organization and who share our passion for advancing integrated mental and physical healthcare and eliminating stigma by providing services to those affected by mental illness, substance use, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and emotional disorders.

The ACT Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of community-based mental health team that provides services for individuals experiencing serious mental illness. The ACT Peer Support Specialist certified peer support specialist that works closely with individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders. The ACT Peer Support Specialist acts as a mentor while providing support and assistance to individuals in the following areas: achieving community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, resiliency and/or productivity.

Please note: As a community-based role, this position will render at least 80% of services in the beneficiary's home or other agreed-upon community-based position.

What’s in it for you:

As a member of our team, you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our community and the lives of the individuals that we serve. CNS Healthcare provides a robust total rewards program to support our team members and their loved ones. We’ve shared some highlights below, but you can visit the benefits guide posted on our careers page to learn more!

• Comprehensive medical insurance options
• Employer-paid benefits including dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance
• Retirement program with generous company default contribution and match
• Generous PTO program starting at 18 days annually
• 16 paid holidays, including 3 floating holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), HRSA, and more

Interested in learning more about this role?

Please see below for a summary of job responsibilities and qualifications!

• Supports individuals in acquiring and practicing all activities of daily life.
• Connects individuals to medically necessary and clinically indicated services including DHS, Social Security, food and clothing banks and other community resources using agency or personally owned vehicle, as assigned.
• Facilitates wellness groups including Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Smoking Cessation, among others, and support individuals in those groups in gaining access to community programs and services as they are indicated, especially physical health care and dental services.
• Promotes client decision-making that support self-determination and participate in the person-entered-planning (PCP) process.
• Assists individuals with the implementation of their goals and objectives identified in the PCP.
• Attend ACT team meetings daily (and at discretion of ACT Team Supervisor), to review status of all beneficiaries, updates from on-call, clinical and case/care management needs, crisis management, schedule organization, and finalized plans for ACT staff deployment in the community.
• As a team-based service, perform a minimum of 80% of ACT contacts in the beneficiary’s home or other agreed upon community location.
• Attends outings intended to enhance socialization and provides instruction-based assistance including teaching, prompting, modeling, monitoring encouragement and general support to persons served.
• Utilizes a Trauma-Informed approach to deliver services
• Completes all required documentation, including progress notes, contact notes, and National Outcome Measures (NOMs), completely, accurately, and in accordance with CNS policy
• Fulfills mandatory education requirements of CNS including internal training and community education.
• Accounts for scheduled work hours through billing, productivity, or other approved methods of documentation.
• Meet direct service productivity and documentation standards per agency and program expectations.
• Provide transportation assistance to individuals served as needed.
• Participation in on-call rotation (at discretion of ACT Team Supervisor) as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with quality care initiatives including Meaningful Use (MU), Medicare Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) requirements.
• Ensure that the CNS Healthcare standards of service are applied to interactions with individuals served, guests, and staff.
• Assume responsibility for professional growth by current reading and attendance at educational programs and conferences.
• Maintain knowledge and compliance with established policies and procedures, corporate compliance program, code of ethics, applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, HIPAA standards, and other regulatory programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required  

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• State of Michigan certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) and/or Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC)
• Valid and unrestricted Driver’s License
• Transportation or Automobile accessibility with current automobile/vehicle insurance meeting agency policy requirements
• Must participate in MDHHS-approved, ACT-specific initial training within 6 months of hire, and subsequently participate in at least one MDHHS-approved, ACT-specific training annually thereafter.
• Proficient with computers and working knowledge of Microsoft office products.
• Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and community effectively, professional, and courteously.
• Ability to work closely with persons with mental or physical limitations.
• Ability to contribute to an inclusive environment that recognizes the value and contributions of all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
• Ability to report and record information regarding individual dreams and desires verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use discretion and judgmental when handling matters of a sensitive or confidential nature.
• Intermediate time management, problem solving, customer service, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Preferred  

• 1 year paid or volunteer experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Prior work or volunteer experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Prior experience as a peer support specialist.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.

About CNS Healthcare: 

CNS Healthcare (CNS) is a non-profit, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) with seven clinics and two clubhouses in Southeastern Michigan. CNS employs approximately 400 employees, paraprofessionals, and support staff, delivering services to more than 7,000 people annually. 

• CNS provides comprehensive integrated health services in partnership with several community organizations, and uses a patient-centered approach to identify, support, and promote the overall health of children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
• Visit our website to learn more about our mission, vision, and values!

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: CNS Healthcare complies with federal, state, and local laws in regard to COVID-19 vaccination. Candidates will be required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for medical or religious exemptions to these requirements in accordance with applicable law.