Certified Peer Specialist

The Certified Peer Specialist/Certified Recovery Specialist supports CBH Clinical Department in the proper procurement of behavioral health services of CBH members. The Certified Peer Specialist/Certified Recovery Specialist will assist members in connecting to physical and behavioral health services and community resources. The Certified Peer Specialist/Certified Recovery Specialist will conduct outreach, follow up, and maintain connection to members managed by their assigned team.

Core Expectations:

Community Behavioral Health (CBH) will hold each employee accountable for the following expectations which align with our mission, vision, and corporate code of conduct.

• Perform key responsibilities as detailed in this job description in a dependable, responsible, and positive manner, consistent with all state and federal guidelines.
• Serve as a role model by exemplifying professional behavior, language, skills, and attire in order to promptly and accurately serve the needs of stakeholders, members and their families.
• Assure adherence to CBH policies and procedures so that all work is of the highest quality and delivered in the most culturally competent and cost effective manner.
• Promote and manage diversity and acceptance within CBH and with all members and stakeholders by honoring and respecting their individuality, dignity and rights.
• Offer suggestions and develop solutions to help promote effective and efficient work processes and innovative programs.
• Actively participate in required meetings and complete all mandatory trainings.
• Maintain high levels of advocacy and member confidentiality to ensure the success of CBH and our mission.
• Assist in assuring both internal and external program integrity by being alert to and reporting suspected instances of provider and employee fraud, waste or abuse.

Essential Functions:

• Conducts outreach and builds rapport with the members identified by their team.
• Works directly with members and their natural supports in the community during 50 - 75% of work hours or 10 - 15 days per month.
• Meets with members to provide encouragement, hope, emotional support, and positive feedback to reinforce positive behaviors.
• Assists in assessment of member’s readiness for change and willingness to engage in services.
• Applies motivational interviewing techniques to encourage member engagement in treatment.
• Works with Clinical Care Managers and other members of the team to facilitate care coordination and connection to meet members’ goals.
• Communicates and responds to internal and external phone calls and e-mails in a timely fashion.
• Conducts follow up with members in the community to review their understanding of medication and follow-up care needs.
• Conducts telephonic follow-up and in-person meetings at the provider site or member’s home.
• Assists members to ensure that tasks such as making medical appointments, filling prescriptions, attending behavioral health appointments are performed.
• Identifies and connects members to resources addressing social determinants of health.
• Monitors/identifies potential barriers to treatment and works with the treatment team to resolve them.
• Attends regular meetings with provider and MCOs to discuss barriers and create solutions.
• Completes daily logs and documentation of member encounters.

Position Requirements:

• Education: High School Diploma/GED preferred
• License/Certification:

• Completion and certification through Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services Certified Peer Specialist/Certified Recovery Specialist training curriculum.
• PA Child Abuse Clearance required

• Relevant Work Experience: Possesses at least 1 - 2 years of direct service experience as a Peer Support Specialist. Experience as a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator Preferred
• Ability to travel throughout Philadelphia, navigation of public transportation system
• Skills:
• Familiar with services for adults and children in the managed care system
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and able to type 20 words per minute
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task in a high-volume environment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Compliant with HIPAA regulations

Work Conditions (including travel, overtime required, physical requirements and occupational exposure):

• Must be able to travel within Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
• Regularly requires walking, standing, stooping, bending, sitting, reaching, pushing, pulling and/or repetitive wrist/hand movements for various lengths of time throughout the day.
• Ability to utilize computers and office equipment to complete daily work responsibilities.
• Regularly works inside in areas that are adequately lighted and ventilated. Some fluctuation in temperature. No protective equipment routinely needed.
• Must be able to adapt to continuous changes/demands of the job.

Philadelphia Residency Requirement:

• The successful candidate must be a current Philadelphia resident or become a resident within six months of hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Requesting An Accommodation:

• CBH is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities or religious observance, including reasonable accommodation when needed. If you are hired by CBH and require an accommodation to perform the essential functions of your role, you will be asked to participate in our accommodation process. Accommodations made to facilitate the recruiting process are not a guarantee of future or continued accommodation once hired.
• If you would like to be considered for employment opportunities with CBH and have accommodation needs for a disability or religious observance, please send us an email at CBH.Recruitment@Phila.gov