Peer Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Have a diagnosis of mental illness, addiction, or both, and a strong desire to identify as a person with mental illness and a current or former consumer of mental health services.
• Hold a GED or high school diploma.
• Be at least 18 years of age; a copy of the diploma or GED may be requested.
• Have demonstrated experience in leadership, advocacy, or governance.
• Be well grounded in personal recovery, consistent with CPS and CPS-AD/CARES guidelines.
• Be a certified Peer Specialist or CARES to retain the position.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a related social services field.
• Commitment and dedication to working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Willingness to provide treatment to clients in their homes and other community settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual recovery coaching using Motivational Interviewing techniques.
• Support and promote multiple pathways to recovery.
• Use lived recovery experience to assist clients with strengths-based skill development.
• Help clients identify and connect with community resources that support recovery.
• Document individual and group interactions and client progress in the EHR by the end of the same day of service.
• Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with department policy.
• Complete treatment plan reviews and updates with clients and, when appropriate and authorized, family members, significant others, and community agencies.
• Attend treatment-team meetings scheduled by other team members and participate in developing and updating treatment plans.
• Help clients and the treatment team identify group activities based on assessed needs.
• Use recovery coaching sessions to help clients set individualized goals based on their strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Provide input on client recovery status based on client interviews and observations.
• Provide group skills-training and education sessions, following evidence-based curricula and attending training on evidence-based group modalities.
• Provide emotional support, encouragement, and coaching, and assist clients with resolving problems.
• Refer clients to a clinician or team leader for services or discussions outside the scope of Peer Specialist coaching.
• Monitor client progress toward treatment goals and help clients self-monitor goals and steps toward achieving them.
• Communicate relevant information about client treatment progress to the treatment team.
• Help develop and maintain a network of community contacts.
• Maintain required credentials, attend necessary training, and complete continuing education for Peer Certification as CPS-MH or CPS-AD/CARES.
• Attend community seminars and meetings when the schedule allows and the supervisor approves.
• Follow the ethical code of conduct and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Maintain professional knowledge by reading current articles, books, and other materials.
• Complete required agency EHR training and submit documentation by close of business on the same day of service.
• Obtain supervisor second signatures on documentation as directed.