Certified Peer Specialist

Indian Creek Foundation•Souderton, PA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

A peer support specialist is one who assists clients in setting and pursuing their recovery goals, monitoring and quantifying their progress, lending assistance with treatment, and leading by example when it comes to coping strategies that have been helpful in their own recovery. This role reports to the Peer Support Coordinator and is a member of the Behavioral Health Department. The position involves providing individualized peer appointments and facilitating or co-facilitating recovery-oriented peer groups. Responsibilities include planning, organizing, developing, leading, and facilitating Peer Services through office/home visits, phone calls, community outings, and recovery-oriented peer groups. The specialist supports individuals in making and updating their Strength Based Assessment and person-centered goal plan in conjunction with Medical Assistance regulations, and completes accurate and timely documentation of services. Collaboration with peers, co-workers, team members, and community resources is essential for coordinating services, addressing problems, reducing stigma, and connecting peers to resources. The role requires actively seeking up-to-date information on available services and supports, maintaining continuing education requirements for certification, and modeling the values, principles, and philosophy of Peer Support. The specialist draws upon their life experiences and recovery story to instill hope, promote resiliency, and exemplify "Recovery in Action." This includes engaging in experiential sharing to create mutuality, build trust, and cultivate skills. Coaching, mentoring, and supporting peers in identifying strengths, setting goals, developing skills, self-advocacy, acquiring resources, navigating systems of care, and sustaining relationships across the 5 life domains (living, learning, working, socializing, and self-maintenance) is a key function. The role also involves monitoring and maintaining appropriate self-care, participating in weekly supervision, communicating self-care needs and accommodation requests, developing a Workplace WRAP, and actively engaging in recovery practices outside of work.

Requirements

Person with lived mental health recovery experience who is active in their recovery and models the values, principles, and philosophy of Peer Support
Minimum of at least one (1) year work experience
High school diploma or GED
Valid driver's license or other mode of transportation for work related activities
Holds a 3 year clear driving record and pass motor vehicle report
Completed the Certified Peer Specialist training curriculum and has obtained Certification through the Pennsylvania Certification Board
Must be able to complete and pass Criminal background, drug screen, physical, child abuse and FBI clearances.
Comprehensive understanding of mental health recovery principles to include effective navigation of economic, social, and mental health systems
Comprehensive understating of the role of ethics within Peer Support and peer rights
Is highly organized and has proficient writing skills
Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Is proficient with computer and smart technology such as mobile devices, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, ZOOM, and internet to accomplish the following: Documenting progress notes/goal plans/assessments, sending and receiving information, performing general communication, and conducting research.
Supports the mission and values of Indian Creek Foundation.
Adheres to confidentiality of all data to include employee, peer, and operations data.
Supports an environment based upon interconnectedness and mutual respect of service roles within the agency.
Effectively collaborates with co-workers, team members, peers, community resources and agency staff with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgement.
Responsive to the needs of others. Demonstrates kindness and tact. Promotes an environment based on unconditional value and genuine respect.
Follows up as appropriate with employees and or Director of Human Resources regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns.

Responsibilities

Fulfills the duties of a fee for service Certified Peer Specialist.
Reports to the Peer Support Coordinator and is a member of the Behavioral Health Department.
Provides Peer Services through the provision of individualized peer appointments and the facilitation or co-facilitation of recovery-oriented peer groups.
Is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, leading, and facilitating Peer Services via office/home visits, phone calls, community outings, and recovery-oriented peer groups.
Is responsible for supporting individuals in making and updating their Strength Based Assessment and person-centered goal plan in conjunction with all applicable Medical Assistance regulations.
Completes accurate and timely documentation of services to ensure compliance in service provision in conjunction with all applicable Medical Assistance regulations.
Works collaboratively with peers, co-workers, team members and community resources to coordinate services, address problems, answer questions, provide information, reduce stigma, and connect peers to resources.
Actively seeks up-to-date information regarding available services, supports, resources, and opportunities that may benefit peers.
Maintains continuing education requirements to sustain active certification through the Pennsylvania Certification Board.
Models the values, principles, and philosophy of Peer Support.
Draws upon their unique skills, personal knowledge, training, life experiences and story of recovery to instill hope, promote resiliency and exemplify "Recovery in Action".
Engages in experiential sharing for the purpose of creating mutuality, building trust, promoting resiliency, instilling confidence, and cultivating skills.
Coaches, mentors, and supports peers in identifying strengths, setting goals, following through on action steps, developing skills, self-advocacy, acquiring/connecting to desired resources, navigating systems of care, and sustaining meaningful relationships with others in conjunction with the 5 life domains (living, learning, working, socializing and self-maintenance (health & wellness).
Monitors and maintains appropriate self-care as it relates to the delivery of peer services.
Actively participates in weekly supervision with the Peer Support Coordinator.
Openly communicates with the Peer Support Coordinator regarding self-care needs and reasonable accommodations within the work setting.
Develops and maintains a Workplace WRAP.
Actively engages in recovery practices outside the work setting to ensure mental health and wellness.
Assist the supervisor with various administrative tasks to support department operations as directed; may also be assigned special projects.
Perform tasks which are supportive in nature to the essential functions of the job, but which may be altered or redesigned depending upon individual circumstances.
Meet on-going training requirements.