ACS PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Pawnee Mental Health Services Inc•Manhattan, KS

41d

About The Position

Pawnee Mental Health is seeking a motivated, passionate ACS Peer Support Specialist to support people facing mental health or substance use challenges in living meaningful, productive lives. The specialist must be in stable recovery from a behavioral health condition. For former Pawnee ACS consumers, recovery means graduating from the program or being in a maintenance phase of services. Employees receiving maintenance-phase services must receive them from a region other than the one where they work, which may require transferring services or working at an alternate location. The specialist supports clients in building peer networks, strengthening independent decision-making and participation in treatment, responding to triggers, and navigating everyday challenges. The role includes community-based service delivery and client transportation, along with clinical documentation, supervision, and collaboration with the treatment team. The incumbent must obtain Kansas Peer Specialist certification within one year of employment if not already certified.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current or past life experience as a primary consumer of mental health services.
Oral and written communication skills in English.
Valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance maintained in accordance with Pawnee policy and procedure.
Basic personal computer skills sufficient to enter, retrieve, and use electronic data.
Must submit to and pass a background check and drug screening.
Must become certified as a Peer Specialist within one year of employment if not already certified.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Microsoft Office software.
Kansas certification as a Peer Specialist (CPS); preference is given to candidates who hold this certification.

Responsibilities

Assist clients with developing a network for information and support from people with similar experiences.
Help clients enhance their ability to make independent choices and take a proactive role in treatment, including discussing medication, diagnosis, or treatment questions and concerns with their treating clinician.
Review client incidents with a supervisor and submit written reports in accordance with policy and procedure.
Advocate for client rights and community integration while preserving the dignity and confidentiality of each person on the caseload.
Mentor clients by providing feedback and role modeling appropriate responses to everyday challenges.
Ensure services provided outside crisis situations are part of the client’s treatment plan.
Help clients identify and effectively respond to or avoid precursors and triggers that result in functional impairments.
Meet administrative and clinical documentation requirements for content and timeliness.
Meet management-prescribed direct service expectations for service type and quantity.
Travel to community settings to provide services and meet related program needs, including transporting clients in a personal or company vehicle.
Attend and actively participate in clinical supervision and program staffing; provide input to supervisors and treatment team members on clinical and program issues.
Attend weekly supervision with a Peer Support approved Supervisor.
Maintain and advance relevant position- or field-specific knowledge and skills through review of pertinent materials or supervisor-approved training.
Follow PMHS policies, procedures, instructions, applicable ethical codes, and the Pawnee Code of Conduct.
Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management personnel.

Benefits

HRSA Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program for Health Careers.
Medical and vision insurance through BCBS or Aetna.
Dental insurance fully covered by Pawnee for employees.
Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) retirement benefits, including a lifetime pension program.
Life insurance coverage up to 150% of annual income and long-term disability insurance at no cost.
Eight paid holidays per year.
PTO accrual of 8 hours per month, equivalent to 12 days per year, increasing to 24 days per year after the first anniversary.
Paid medical leave bank of 40 hours.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Supplemental benefits, including additional life insurance coverage, ambulance transportation, short-term disability, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.