Certified Peer Specialist

ALL APPLICANTS NEED TO EMAIL APPLY@OCONEECENTER.COM AFTER THEIR SUBMISSION TO TEAM GEORGIA FOR FUTHER INSTRUCTIONS. 

ALL APPLICANTS MUST LIVE WITHIN 45 MILES OF THE MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA. OR BE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING TO MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN INTERVIEW. 

We are currently seeking Certified Peer Specialistto join our team in making a difference in the lives of our patients every day.  We are located in the heart of Middle Georgia State where we enjoy abundant recreational opportunities, and a family friendly environment with good schools and opportunities for the entire family to be involved.

Summary of Duties

A Certified Peer Specialist is a person who has progressed in their own recovery from alcohol, drug abuse or is able to function in the community with mental illness and is willing to self-identify as a peer and work to assist other individuals with chemical dependency and/or mental disorder. Because of their life experience, such persons have expertise that professional training cannot replicate. There are many tasks performed by peer support specialists that may include assisting their peers in articulating their goals for recovery, learning and practicing new skills, helping them monitor their progress, assisting them in their treatment, modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies based on the specialist's own recovery experience, and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services.

Responsibilities

         Experience with group facilitation

         Assists clients to create Wellness Recovery Action Plans,

         Teach techniques to address negative self-talk,

         Assists with skills to overcome fears,

         Support vocational choices,

         Teach problem solving,

         Assist to build social skills, and

         Educate about mental illness and recovery.

         The CPS also serves as a resource to other staff by identifying program elements that foster recovery for clients by using his/her personal experience of mental illness and what makes recovery possible.

         The CPS will also provide a broad range of paraprofessional social services to patients/clients/consumers and their families.

         Conducts patient/client/consumer intakes, participates in treatment team planning, and performs crisis intervention.

         Assists in dealing with personal and social problems.

         May provide supportive counseling to consumers and families and/or serve as a liaison for social services.

         May perform case management duties.

         Links program participants to housing opportunities and resources.

All applicants are subject to provide a current seven (7) year Motor Vehicle Report and Georgia background check.

Minimum Qualifications

         High school diploma or GED AND two years' experience in a social services related position

         Experience in Behavioral Health

         First Aid/BLS Certification must be acquired and maintained once employed

         Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered

         Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Must be CPS-AD or CARES eligible

         Ability to travel a minimum of 10% of the time. (Local Travel)

Pre-employment Requirements:

         Previous experience in mental/behavioral health field.

         Possess a valid driver's license

         Submit to and pass a pre-employment:

o   Drug screen

o   DBHDD Background check

o   No more than four (4) points on a seven (7) year Motor Vehicle Report ?
*If more than (4) points an approved DDS course to reduce points must be taken.

Preferred Qualifications

         Bachelor's degree in a social services related field OR One year at the lower level or position equivalent

         Case Management experience

         Good communication abilities, understands a sense of urgency and capable of working in a fast -paced environment

         Ability to coordinate and organize the delivery services

         Ability to interview consumers and/or families using established techniques

         Ability to develop client service plan to habilitate and rehabilitate client and assists client in attaining housing, social, educational and vocational goals

         Intermediate knowledge of bio-psychosocial (BPS) aspects of mental, developmental, physical disabilities, etc. in order to formulate diagnoses; participate in treatment team process, treatment delivery

         Intermediate knowledge of principles of mental health education in order to relay/clarify findings, when clinically indicated

         Ability to develop, implement and facilitate workshops

         Ability to assess what training is needed.

Knowledge & Skills

         Must be a self-started and work independently;

         Must be highly organized and efficient;

         Computer skills required (internet, word processing and spreadsheet programs);

         Must be able to perform assignments with minimal supervision;

         Must be able to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures;

         Must be capable of adapting to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis;

         Must have effective comprehensive reading skills, strong communication skills, written and verbal.

THIS POSITION OFFERS:

         Eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness

         401K

         10 paid holidays

         Paid Time Off

         Medical

         Dental

         Vision

         EAP

         Critical Illness

         Basic Life Insurance

         Long Term/Short Term Disability

         Long Term Care

         Accidental Death and Dismemberment