Certified Peer Specialist

Are you someone who is looking for a new career? Do you want to help others without years of formal education?

Do you have a past history of mental health struggles or drug and alcohol addiction and are looking to make a difference?

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) provides peer support services; serves as a consumer advocate; provides consumer information and peer support for consumers in emergency, outpatient or inpatient settings. The CPS performs a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in regaining control over their own lives and over their own recovery process.

The CPS will role model competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills. This is a non-clinical role. CPS’s are directly supervised by Certified Peer Specialist Supervisors and the Clinical Director (Mental Health Professional).

The Mission of Unity Family Service's Peer Support Program is to:

• Inspire the hope and recovery of wellness
• Reduce the anxiety of the individual seeking help
• Promote empowerment and self-determination
• Increase understanding through self-discovery
• Support community integration
• Increase positive attitudes towards recovery
• Decrease negative stigmas towards mental illness
• Increase employment opportunities for participants
• Partner with community resources
• Reinforce the goal that: “I can do it, too!”

Duties and Responsibilities

• The CPS will work collaboratively with Peer Support Supervisors and Clinical Director, to provide Peer Support Services to individuals who are eligible in a variety of settings, i.e. group homes, provider service agencies, drop-in centers, community settings, and the home environment.
• Initiate, establish, and maintain positive relationships with clients while developing trust and building rapport.
• In collaboration with Program Supervisor and Clinical Director, establish what CPS’s role will be in supporting peer recovery.
• Provide advocacy on behalf of your clients and help them to navigate the health and social service systems.
• Work closely with clients to address problems, answer questions, gather and provide information and advice, and connect client to resources and the community.
• Act as a coach and mentor, and help clients to set goals and develop skills. This includes the creation of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan which will outline personal goals for recovery, as well as identify and plan for challenges.
• Consistently review personal goals for recovery and generate new goals as needed.
• Share and discuss common experiences and build a collective sense of community.
• Display respect and patience for each person's unique recovery journey and celebrate successes and goal achievement.
• Help participants utilize resources to meet their basic needs, such as access to services, obtaining safe housing, or energy assistance.
• Support vocational choices and assist participant success. This might include activities such as regularly checking in at the end of the work day, reviewing social skills needed on the job, or practicing ways to handle job-related anxiety.
• Review various skill-building tools and provide handouts on topics of interest to participants, i.e. overcoming negative self-talk, symptom management, building positive relationships, etc.
• Assist Peer Support Supervisor and Clinical Director with the creation of ISP and Strength Based Assessments.
• Ensure that services provided are individualized and in accordance with the objectives listed on the Strength Based Assessment and ISP.
• Ensure sessions times are depicted accurately and in compliance with medical necessity.
• Support peer with enhancing communication and social skills.
• Assist peers with setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups.
• Teach peers how to identify and overcome fears.
• Assist non-peer staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery; lend their unique insight into mental illness and what makes recovery possible.
• Participate in treatment team meetings if available at participants' request.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Program Supervisor, Clinical Director, or Operations Director.

Education and Experience Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Life experience with mental illness or the mental health system.
• At least 12 months of successful full, part-time, or volunteer work experience within the last 3 years, or 24 credit hours of post-secondary education.
• Knowledge and skill in Peer Support and recovery principles, values, and practice.
• Completion of state approved Peer Specialist Certification
• Must pass initial and random drug tests.

Personal and Professional Attributes:

The Certified Peer Specialist will understand and have a commitment to the philosophy, mission, values, and vision of Unity Family Services Inc. This individual will be able to demonstrate these values with his/her leadership practices. This person will possess personal and professional integrity, strong communication skills and an excellent professional appearance and presentation. Strong analytical and decision-making skills along with considerable tact and diplomacy are important considerations. This individual must also possess strong interpersonal skills, a good sense of humor, high energy level and a positive calm outlook. Other attributes include the following:

• Is respectful, honest and demonstrates integrity and ethics.
• Listens effectively, shares ideas and information openly and facilitates relationship building by establishing trust.
• Reduces conflict and chaos through the promotion of positive interactions.
• Refrains from negative conversation that inhibit the growth and productivity of management, employees, consumers and the agency.
• Interested in serving as a mentor to others.
• Has excellent computer skills.
• Possesses initiative, good judgment and the ability to problem solve.
• Has handled demanding workloads to meet objectives.
• Is consumer/client focused, service oriented, and has effectively influenced positive growth.
• Works effectively with all levels of management and departments, in particular, the Peer Support Supervisor and Clinical Director.
• Is driven, compassionate, and creative.
• Team player.

Physical Requirements

• Often hectic consumer/client homes, community, providers and office space.
• Ability to travel by auto.
• Occasional lifting of 10-20 pounds.
• Sufficient vision acuity for routine driving, computer use, and moderate to heavy reading and writing responsibilities.
• Position requires walking, sitting and standing at moderate levels.
• Stamina able to be maintained to manage a work level that may exceed 40 hours per week.
• Position requires a high level of all forms of communication skills: written, verbal, listening.

Requirements of Continued Employment

• Valid PA driver’s license and auto insurance required (Any accident’s, DUI’s, citations, or arrests must be reported immediately to Direct Supervisor)
• Act 33/34 clearances required
• FBI Clearance
• Ability to comply with regulations of Medicaid and Medicare Services and complete ongoing trainings and required CEUs (18/year)

If these requirements are met, the employee will have the option to move to a full-time position, where they will then be eligible for the benefits listed in the "benefits" section.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Benefits

• 401(k) (if full-time)
• 401(k) matching(if full-time)
• Dental insurance(if full-time)
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance(if full-time)
• Life insurance(if full-time)
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance(if full-time)

Supplemental pay types

• Bonus opportunities

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to commute/relocate

• Kittanning, PA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience

• Peer Support: 1 year (Preferred)