Certified Peer Specialist

Ramsey County•1919 University Avenue (Saint Paul), MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The current vacancies are in the Social Services department. The eligibility list created by these vacancies may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County. These vacancies require a Certified Peer Support Specialist certification. There are two vacancies within this department. One vacancy is in the Adult Crisis Stabilization division. The second vacancy is in the Ramsey County Mental Health Center. Adult Crisis Stabilization Peer Specialist: This position is housed within the Adult Crisis Stabilization Team, located at 402 University Avenue East in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Peer Specialist works in partnership with the lead Stabilization Clinician to implement and support treatment plan goals and activities identified with clients. The primary role of the Peer Specialist is to provide side-by-side support, coaching, encouragement, and mentorship to individuals experiencing mental health crises and recovery challenges. Peer Specialists utilize their lived experience to help clients build hope, resilience, and confidence in their recovery journey. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The majority of the work is community-based and is conducted alongside the lead Stabilization Clinician in clients’ homes, community settings, and other service locations. Mental Health Center: This position will be located at Ramsey County Mental Health Center. Peer staff plays a critical role in the Welcome Center where one is expected to answer incoming phone calls, check voicemails, see walk in clients, create charts for new clients in our electronic health system, complete screening and risk assessment with new clients, schedule appointments, and participate in community engagement assignments. Peer staff will provide face to face individual peer session to clients out in community settings including client’s residence and facilitate in person group sessions here at 1919 clinic. Standard Work hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position is primarily onsite.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent.
One year of experience assisting clients in recovery practices, rehabilitation and wellness.
Credentialed as a MN Department of Human Services Certified Peer Specialist through a State endorsed program.
Must have a valid class D driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
Attach a copy of your active Certified Peer Support Specialist Certificate (CPSS) with your application.

Responsibilities

Assist clients with illness management and recovery and all aspects of psychiatric rehabilitation by modeling wellness, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and hopefulness through the sharing of his or her story, role modeling how the needs of individuals can be respectfully met, and how a belief in ones’ self and recovery is maintained.
Educate clinical and other staff about the recovery process and the damaging role that stigma can play in undermining recovery.
Help staff to better understand and empathize with each client’s unique experience and perceptions.
Provide guidance and encouragement to clients to actively participate in their own recovery.
Teach clients self-advocacy skills.
Promote personal growth and development with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Assist, teach, and support clients regarding activities of daily living, vocational skills, housing access, maintaining financial supports, and utilizing buses and other transportation in the community.
Provide side-by-side support, coaching and encouragement to help clients socialize and carry out leisure-time activities on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities and provide other opportunities to practice social skills.
Link clients to other external sources of help, when needed.
Co-facilitate Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups and other groups that facilitate recovery.
Assist clients in identifying with other consumers who have done well in recovery.
When appropriate, convey to clients his/her own experiences with mental illness and recovery.
Assist clients in using holistic/alternative healing practices, when applicable, for their psychiatric condition.
Attend and participate in all scheduled team meetings.
Answer incoming phone calls, check voicemails, see walk in clients, create charts for new clients in our electronic health system, complete screening and risk assessment with new clients, schedule appointments, and participate in community engagement assignments.
Provide face to face individual peer session to clients out in community settings including client’s residence and facilitate in person group sessions here at 1919 clinic.