Supported Employment Specialist - IPS, Certified Peer

AltaPointe Health•Mobile, AL

About The Position

The IPS Supported Employment Certified Peer Specialist supports consumers in achieving their employment goals by meeting with them, promoting self-determination and recovery, and modeling self-advocacy. The role involves early engagement and relationship-building with consumers interested in working, sharing lived experience to encourage hope, and helping participants navigate mental health services, overcome barriers, and obtain and retain employment. The specialist also provides job development and coaching in support of Employment Specialists on the team. The position is part of Adult Outpatient Programs, which provide clinical interventions focused on recovery, problem resolution, symptom reduction, stabilization, and prevention of movement to a higher level of care. At least 65% of scheduled work hours are spent in the community meeting with individuals seeking employment, mental health treatment teams, VRS, and others.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Must be in recovery from a mental illness, be willing to share a recovery story, and understand the mental health system.
Must have and maintain a valid Alabama driver's license, vehicle insurance, and driving record.
Must be at least 23 years old.

Responsibilities

Promote self-determination, recovery, self-advocacy, and self-direction; help individuals identify strengths, wellness goals, objectives, and barriers.
Attend treatment team meetings with individuals and promote use of self-directed advocacy tools; assist with goal planning and development of PCP/Career Profiles with the individual and Employment Specialist.
Help individuals learn to request appropriate community services and obtain information about benefits such as SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid.
Engage individuals in programs and services that encourage employment, and provide outreach when individuals appear to disengage from the IPS Supported Employment Program.
Model self-advocacy for addressing disclosure issues and requesting workplace accommodations.
Teach wellness management strategies and help individuals develop self-management plans and tools for work and personal life, using approaches such as IMR/WMR and WRAP.
Connect individuals with community support groups to promote hope, problem-solving, and reduced social isolation.
Educate IPS Supported Employment and Treatment Team members about self-advocacy and peer support, and promote the recognition and integration of individuals’ perspectives and preferences into service delivery.
Provide resources and teach transportation skills, such as learning bus routes for work.
Share personal lived experience to model how to choose, obtain, and keep employment.
Support informed decisions about supported employment, community connections, vocational choices, and overcoming job-related concerns.
Build community social skills that enhance job acquisition and tenure; help overcome employment barriers and workplace challenges.
Assist with obtaining employment documentation and researching businesses or industries of interest with individuals.
Help individuals complete job applications, resumes, and cover letters; explore career and educational aspirations; and teach job-seeking skills such as computer use.
Attend recovery support groups and NA/AA meetings with job seekers when appropriate.
Assist with financial wellness through money-management and asset-development tools.
Provide job development and job coaching to support Employment Specialists on the team.
Spend 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community meeting with individuals seeking employment, mental health treatment teams, VRS, and others.