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)

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).