Certified Peer Specialist- PATH Progran

Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority • Montgomery, AL

54d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a part-time position working in the PATH program for Carastar Health. A Certified Peer Specialist in this program utilizes their lived experience with mental illness and recovery to serve as a support agent for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Employees in this position support consumers in achieving their goals, promoting self-determination and recovery, modeling self-advocacy skills, and connecting individuals with housing, mental health, and other community resources.

Requirements

• Reliable transportation and willingness to transport clients.
• Treat consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the clients' needs, expectations, and differences.
• Remain gentle and calm.
• Certification through Department of Mental Health as a Certified Peer Specialist.

Nice To Haves

• Must have lived experience with homelessness or housing instability and be willing to appropriately share their lived experience to provide peer support, encouragement, advocacy, and hope to consumers experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
• Must complete and pass ADMH Certified Peer Specialist training within 90 days of hire.
• Must have a High School Diploma, or GED/ Equivalent.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must maintain a driving record that is acceptable to the Carastar's insurance carrier.
• Must maintain at least liability coverage on personal vehicles.
• Must maintain current CPI and Red Cross First Aid/CPR certifications.

Responsibilities

• Share personal recovery experiences appropriately to engage individuals, build trust, promote hope, and support individuals in their recovery journey.
• Conduct outreach and engagement activities with individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in community and nontraditional settings.
• Assist the PATH team with identifying and engaging individuals who may be eligible for PATH services.
• Promote self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction.
• Assist individuals in identifying their strengths, wellness and recovery goals, objectives, and barriers to achieving those goals.
• Participate with individuals and the treatment team in developing recovery goals and action plans.
• Assist individuals with understanding how to request and access appropriate behavioral health, medical, housing, social, and community services.
• Support individuals in connecting with housing resources and services designed to promote housing stability.
• Assist individuals in connecting with available income support and community resources, including housing assistance, food assistance, Social Security benefits, transportation, vocational services, and other resources as appropriate.
• Provide peer support during appointments, community activities, outreach visits, and other services when appropriate.
• Assist individuals in developing skills necessary to successfully navigate behavioral health and community service systems.
• Teach wellness management and recovery strategies and assist individuals with developing self-management tools.
• Connect individuals with peer support groups, recovery resources, and other community supports that promote hope, independence, social connection, and recovery.
• Encourage individuals to develop natural support systems and become actively involved in their recovery and treatment decisions.
• Provide education to team members and community partners regarding the role and value of peer support, recovery, self-advocacy, and lived experience.
• Advocate for individuals' preferences and perspectives to be recognized and incorporated into service planning and delivery.
• Practice culturally responsive communication when interacting with individuals, families, natural supports, community partners, and other service providers.
• Serve as a safe and supportive resource for individuals to discuss questions, concerns, accomplishments, and barriers to recovery.
• Assist with follow-up and continued engagement of individuals who have been referred or connected to behavioral health and community services.
• Participate in coordination of services with PATH team members, behavioral health providers, housing providers, community agencies, and other organizations serving individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Transport individuals to appointments and services as needed and conduct community outreach visits.
• Facilitate peer support groups, recovery-focused activities, trainings, or educational sessions as scheduled or requested.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of peer support, outreach, engagement, referrals, and other services provided.
• Complete required client records, reports, forms, and other documentation in accordance with Carastar Health requirements and applicable funding requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of all consumer information and records.
• Attend staff meetings, agency meetings, trainings, in-service activities, workshops, and other events as required.
• Seek supervision and consultation when needed.
• Treat all individuals with care, dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to individuals' needs, expectations, cultural backgrounds, experiences, and individual differences.
• Remain calm, supportive, and professional when working with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges or crisis situations.
• Actively participate in Performance Improvement activities and Carastar Health committees as required.
• Follow all Carastar Health policies and procedures.
• Complete assigned responsibilities in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED