Peer Support Specialist

SpectraCare • Dothan, AL

38d • Onsite

About The Position

Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) work from the perspective of their lived experience to help build environments
conducive to recovery. They promote hope, personal responsibility, empowerment, education, and self
determination in the communities where they serve. CPSs are trained to assist others in skill-building, problemsolving, setting up and maintaining self-help mutual support groups, and building self-directed recovery tools.
A critical role of the CPS is supporting others in developing their recovery goals, and specific steps to reach
those goals. Travel will be required, specifically if needed to go out with the Mobile Crisis Team.

Requirements

• An understanding of their job and the skills to that job: A. Understand the basic structure of the state Mental Health System and how it works. B. Understand the CPS job description and Code of Ethics of SpectraCare and within ADMH. C. Understand the meaning and role of peer support. D. Understand the difference in treatment goals and recovery goals. E. Be able to create and facilitate a variety of group activities that support and strengthen recovery. F. Be able to complete the necessary documentation required by SpectraCare Personnel Policy, SpectraCare Clinical Policy, including but not limited to Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities. G. Be able to support an individual’s combat negative self-talk, overcome fears, and solve problems. H. Be able to support an individual articulate, set and accomplish his/her goals. I. Be able to teach other individuals to create their own wellness plan. J. Be able to teach other individuals to advocate for the services they want. K. Be able to support an individual create a Person-Centered Plan.
• An understanding of the recovery process and how to use their own recovery story to support others. A. Knowledge of mental illness, substance abuse and recovery from illness. B. Understand the stages in the recovery process and what is helpful and not helpful in each stage. C. Understand the role of peer support at each stage of the recovery process. D. Understand the power of beliefs/values and how they support or work against recovery. E. Understand the basic philosophy and principles of psychosocial rehabilitation. F. Understand the basic definition and dynamics of recovery. G. Be able to articulate what has been useful and what not useful in his/her own recovery. H. Be able to identify beliefs and values an individual holds that works against his/her recovery. I. Be able to discern when and how much of their recovery story to share with whom.
• An understanding of and the ability to establish healing relationships. A. Understand the dynamics of power, conflict and integrity in the workplace. B. Understand the concept of seeking out common ground. C. Understand the meaning and importance of cultural competency. D. Be able to ask open-ended questions that relate a person to his/her inner wisdom. E. Be able to personally deal with conflict and difficult interpersonal relations in the workplace. F. Be able to demonstrate an ability to participate in “healing communication”. G. Be able to interact sensitively and effectively with people of other cultures.
• An understanding of the importance of and have the ability to take care of oneself. A. Understand the dynamics of stress and burnout. B. Understand the role and parts of the wellness plan. C. Be able to discuss his/her own tools for taking care of him/herself.
• Other KSA’s the CPS must possess include but not limited to: A. Ability to respond professionally in a crisis-situation. B. Ability to maintain confidentiality under SpectraCare Policy, HIPAA laws, and 42 CFR and to establish effective working relationships with the Program Director and all levels of organizational staff. C. Ability to communicate with seriously mental ill individuals and staff, both written and oral. D. Ability to travel. E. Ability to adapt to conditions which may vary considerably. F. Basic knowledge of individual’s rights and advocacy. G. Ability to relay coping skills, positive attitude skills and self-esteem. H. Ability to facilitate peer support and/or self-help groups. I. Working knowledge of Business English, spelling and arithmetic. J. Ability to operate office machines such as computers, copier, and fax machines. K. Ability to attend to detailed assignments and follow through with task until completion. L. Ability to make arithmetic computation and tabulations accurately and with reasonable speed. M. Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions. N. Ability to assist in establishing support systems and interface with agencies, organizations, and groups. O. Ability to establish effective working relationships with other staff, program director, and all levels of organizational staff. P. Ability to function within professional boundaries with patients and others.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have personally experienced mental illness, must be in recovery.
• Must successfully complete ADMH Certified Peer Specialist training and exam upon hire.
• Possess a valid Driver License with good MVR.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a mental illness or related field.
• Previously completed Certified Peer Specialist training and exam with ADMH

Responsibilities

• Utilizing recovery experience, the peer support specialist will: A. Teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience. B. Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies. C. Assist individuals in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self advocacy. Utilize regular meetings, individual, and/or group sessions. D. Articulate with individuals what has been helpful and what not been helpful in his/her own recovery process. E. Identify beliefs and values an individual holds that works against his/her recovery. F. Discern when and how much of their recovery story to share with individuals.
• Using a formal goal setting process, the peer support specialist will: A. Assist individuals in articulating personal goals for recovery and wellness. Support individuals in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals. B. Assist individuals in working with treatment team in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery.
• Utilizing their specific training, the CPS will: A. Lead as well as teach individuals how to facilitate Recovery Dialogs. B. Support individuals in creating a wellness plan. C. Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups. D. Teach individuals techniques for identifying and combating negative self-talk. E. Teach individuals techniques for identifying and overcoming fears. F. Support the vocational choices individuals make and support them in overcoming job-related anxiety. G. Support individuals in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure. H. Support individuals in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery; lend their unique insight into mental illness and what makes recovery possible. I. Attend treatment team meetings to promote individual’s use of self-directed recovery tools. J. Ability to assist in establishing support systems and interface with agencies, organizations, and groups
• Maintain proper documentation in a timely manner as required by SpectraCare Personnel Policy, SpectraCare Clinical Policy, including but not limited to the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities. A. Ensure privacy and confidentiality of all individual records in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR and all other applicable state or federal laws. B. Ensure all written documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner to include but not limited to documents that support: i. assisting individuals in identifying strengths, ii. assisting individuals in identifying recovery and wellness goals, iii. assisting individuals in identifying barriers and setting objectives, iv. support individuals in determining recovery and wellness interventions based on their life goals, v. recognizing and reporting progress individuals make toward meeting objectives, vi. understanding and utilizing specific interventions necessary to support individuals in meeting their recovery and wellness goals. C. Ensure that all records are staffed within standard time frames. D. Ensure that all progress notes are completed promptly, written in a professional manner and in accordance with policies and procedures. E. Ensure that goals are appropriate, specific, and the focus of treatment. F. Ensure that all patient information is kept up to date.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals and other relevant material. A. Continue to develop and share recovery-oriented material with others. B. Attend relevant seminars, meetings, and in-service trainings as approved. C. Attend continuing education sessions when offered by the ADMH.
• The CPSs will serve as a recovery agent by: A. Providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services. B. Support individuals in obtaining services that suit that individual’s recovery needs. C. Inform individuals about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process. D. Support individualsin developing empowerment skill through self-advocacy and the use of Human Experience Language to combat stigma. E. Support individuals in setting up and sustaining Self-Help support groups.
• Assist with crisis intervention as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director. A. Actively participates in committees as required. B. Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner. C. Works in a cooperative manner with other SpectraCare employees. D. Receive and respond to inquiries promptly and courteously. E. Must perform all duties with the highest standard of ethics. F. Attends regular workshops, trainings, in-services, and/or administrative meetings as appropriate. G. Maintain travel records accurately and submitted within the appropriate timeframe. H. Ensure necessary documentation is completed and up to date before annual leave or personal leave is taken. I. Adhere to Dress Code as set forth in the SpectraCare policies and procedures. J. Follow guidelines of SpectraCare Personnel Policy, SpectraCare Clinical Policy, including but not limited to the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities. K. Performs duties independently and/or with minimal supervision. L. Functions within professional boundaries with patients and others. M. Works well with other staff and individuals to ensure safety of program, individuals, and other staff. N. Functions and performs well in stressful environments and manages work related stress to ensure client safety. O. Applies seclusion and restraint per SpectraCare policy and procedures. P. Documents crises, protective holds, seclusions and restraints. Q. Participates in beginning/end of shift unit reporting. R. Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit / program at SpectraCare based on facility needs as directed. S. Other services, tasks, functions, and responsibilities deemed necessary; otherwise specified.
• Regular attendance with timely arrival and departure. A. Must be able to work full time with rotating assignments as necessary to include but not limited to overtime hours, nights and/or weekends as scheduled. B. To insure individual/employee safety while on duty, must remain awake during scheduled working hours.

What This Job Offers

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