Certified Peer Specialist
SUMMARY
This position provides
recovery oriented (in home or community based) services to individuals. This position is responsible for the
management of an assigned caseload of clientele for recovery-oriented peer
support services. The specialist will
establish a trusting and respectful working relationship with peers through the
sharing of life experiences with mental illness, the mental health system, drug
and alcohol recovery and/or forensic history. This will be done in coordination
with the Certified Peer Specialist Supervisor (CPSS) by performing the
following duties as outlined in this job description. The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) will also
work under the supervision of the Program Director. This position will develop and maintain supportive
relationships with persons served. These
relationships are essential to establishing the individual's strengths and
goals; identifying barriers, recovery strategies and alternatives to making
choices about medication and treatment; and proving links to community
resources. The primary responsibility of
a certified peer specialist is to help individuals identify and achieve their
recovery goals and meet their specific goals while assisting them in
identifying and developing a natural support system. The certified peer specialist
may also facilitate recovery groups at times and participates in panel
presentations to assist in education of recovery principles.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish
this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without
reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help
enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
Essential
Functions
- Models and
fosters an organizational culture of respect, cooperation, and service
excellence.
- Assists consumer
in learning skills and achieving independence as part of consumer's recovery
from issues and problems caused by mental health diagnosis, with a focus on
using personal examples and stories from the employee's own recovery process.
- Follows steps of
process including opening a consumer, assessment of consumer, creation of goal
plan, writing accurate progress notes reflecting goal plan, writing
collaboration documentation, and closing of consumer. Trains consumers in the necessary components
of their goal plans.
- Plans work
schedule based on consumer's needs, regularly attends scheduled appointments
with consumers and comes to office to complete paperwork.
- Develops
therapeutic relationship with consumer, while maintaining professional
boundaries. Understands and implements
the concepts of recovery and strength-based approach.
- Completes consumer,
timekeeping, and travel documentation / paperwork accurately and in a timely
manner.
- Learn how to navigate and use AVATAR Electronic Health System.
- Checks email daily
when working and responds appropriately.
- . Maintains quota monthly
of designated program of billable time expectations.
- Learns and understands
diagnoses, symptoms and how they affect consumers.
- Maintains
positive relationships with funders, family members, case managers, and other
collaterals, and functions as an effective member of the interdisciplinary
team.
- Attend supervisions
and meetings as required.
- Knows and follows
all DCI policies and procedures, federal and state regulations, and policies in
Peer Support Manual.
- Performs other
tasks as assigned.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
AND RESPONSBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Maintain CPS certification.
- Each calendar must maintain 18 hours of continuing education (12
of which must be recovery focused)
- Follow all protocols, and training requirements to renew PCB certification every 2 years.
- Follow all ethical standards of the PCB.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job
successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative
of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be to enable Indvidual's
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience
- Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
Must meet all of
the following:
- Be
self-identified individual who have received or are receiving mental health services
for a serious mental illness.
- Be 18 years of
age or older.
- Within the last (3) three years, maintained at
least (12) twelve months of successful full or part-time or voluntary work
experience or obtained at least 24 credit hours of post-secondary education;
and have related, supervised work or volunteer experience, as approved by the Pennsylvania
Certification Board (PCB).
- THIS COULD BE AFTER WE HIRE THEM BECAUSE WE NORMALLY SEND
THEM TO THE TRAINING
- Have completed
the PCB-approved CPS training. Hold and maintain CPS verification through the
PCB or attain certification through the PCB within six (6) months of hire and
maintain CPS certification.
Certifications,
& Other Requirements
- Completed and passed a Certified Peer Specialist certification-training
program considered for this position, this agency may assist in training
coordination cost.
- To obtain Pennsylvania Board Certification (PCB) immediately after
taking the PCB Examination and maintain recertification requirements for the
PCB.
- Be able to obtain agency-required clearances for criminal record
check, child abuse, and working with children.
- CPS must have a
valid driver's license; meet agency driving record standards and agency fleet
insurance policy.
Competencies
- Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for
his/her actions.
- Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
- Autonomy- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Communication, Oral and Written ? Ability to communicate
effectively with others using the spoken word or by clear and concise writing.
- Computer Proficient ? Ability to use modern computers and electronic
health record technology, office software (for documents and e-mail), and
operate printers, copy and fax machines.
- Customer Oriented ? Ability to take care of the customers' needs
while following company procedures.
- Decision Making ? Ability to make decisions while following
company procedures during daily performance of duties, as well as in times of
crisis.
- Problem Solving ? Ability to find a solution for or to deal
proactively with work-related problems.
- Time Management ? Ability to utilize the available time to
organize and complete work within given deadlines.
- Trauma Informed Awareness ? Ability to recognize the potential
impact of trauma and be considerate of that potential in interactions with
clients, co-workers, and others.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
N (Not Applicable) - Activity is not applicable to this position
O (Occasionally) - Position requires this activity up to 33% of
the time (0-2.5 hrs/day)
F (Frequently) - Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of
the time (2.5 ? 5.5 hrs/day)
C (Constantly) - Position requires this activity more than 66% of
the time (5.5 hrs/day)
Physical Demands
|
Frequency
|
|
Lift / Carry
|
Frequency
|
Stand
|
F
|
|
10
lbs or less
|
O
|
Walk
|
F
|
|
11-20
lbs
|
O
|
Sit
|
F
|
|
21-50
lbs
|
O
|
Manually
Manipulate
|
C
|
|
51-100
lbs
|
N
|
Grasp
|
F
|
|
Over
100 lbs
|
N
|
Reach
Outward
|
F
|
|
|
|
Reach
Above Shoulder
|
O
|
|
Push/Pull
|
Frequency
|
Speak
|
F
|
|
12
lbs or less
|
O
|
Climb
|
O
|
|
13-25
lbs
|
O
|
Crawl
|
O
|
|
26-40
lbs
|
O
|
Squat
or Kneel
|
O
|
|
41-100
lbs
|
O
|
Bend
|
O
|
|
|
|
Other Physical Requirements
- Vision
- Sense of Smell
- Sense of Sound
- Sense of Touch
- Sense of Balance
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed
in various office and community settings such as consumer's homes, in parks, libraries,
restaurants, and other public places. Employee
may be exposed to consumer home situations which can affect the air quality
(pets, drugs, smoke, and hoarding of items).