Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Haven House•Elkton, MD

About The Position

Under supervision of the Director of Outpatient Operations, the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for clients at our recovery houses. The CPRS performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages, from young adult to old age, in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Recovery resources such as booklets, tapes, pamphlets and other written materials will be utilized by the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in the provision of services. Safety-Sensitive Position Notice: Employees in safety-sensitive positions are held to heightened standards due to the nature of their responsibilities and the potential impact on employee, client, and public safety. The use of substances that may cause sedation, impairment, or diminished alertness — including but not limited to opioids, marijuana, and benzodiazepines — may not be permitted while performing duties in these roles.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Licensed in Maryland as a Certified Peer Support Specialist
Valid Drivers’ License
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist certification (CPRS)
Organizational and administrative skills
Able to communicate effectively (both written and oral skills)
Ability to work independently
Ability to work under pressure
Familiarity with health and safety issues

Responsibilities

Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to- one and group sessions.
Support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.
Assist clients in working with their case manager or treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery.
Assist clients in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual assistance) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.
Utilize tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to assist clients in creating their own individual wellness and recovery plans.
Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups; discussions will be utilized where clients will share common problems in daily living and methods they have employed to manage and cope with these problems.
Share own experiences and what skills, strengths, supports and resources they use as one who has availed themselves to mental health services.
Share own recovery story and demonstrate how they have directed their own recovery as the facilitator of these sessions.
Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and CPRS to share their experiences.
Support clients’ vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips.
Assist clients in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
Teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience.
Assist the client in obtaining decent and affordable housing of his/her choice in the most integrated, independent, and least intrusive or restrictive environment by taking them out to view housing, either driving them or riding with them on public transportation.
Serve as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for any effective recovery-based services that will aid the client in daily living.
Assist in obtaining services that suit that individual’s recovery needs by providing names of staff, community resources and groups that may be useful.
Inform clients about community and natural supports and how to use these in the recovery process.
Assist clients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy.
Provide opportunities for others to show/demonstrate how they have handled similar problems, how to present themselves in certain situations, or how to handle problems that may arise in interactions with others through the use of role playing/modeling techniques.
Work with the clients and other treatment team staff to develop a treatment/recovery plan based on each client’s identified goals.
Document the following on the client’s treatment/recovery plan: identified person-centered strengths, needs, abilities, and recovery goals interventions to assist the client with reaching their goals for recovery progress made toward goals.