Certified Peer Specialist

WES Health System has an exciting opportunity available for a part-time Certified Peer Specialist.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a behavioral health position where the incumbent is held to high professional standards. The person occupying this position will foster supportive peer relationships with and among persons in recovery to empower them to take action on issues affecting their lives including health, education, problem solving, self esteem and positive communication. It is essential that the CPS demonstrate a personal belief in recovery, sincere interest in the welfare of persons in recovery and the ability to engage persons in recovery with flexibility and an individualized focus. The CPS will promote and contribute positively to the program and program relationships. The CPS will assists recovering persons to identify their personal interests and goals in relationship to recovery and assist with identifying and linking persons in recovery to possible matches and opportunities between their interest and community resources. The person occupying this position will also talk individuals through crisis, which could mean going to the hospital. The CPS will also provide the supervisor with activities they will be doing with the Person In Recovery one week ahead of time. The CPS will visit the Person In Recovery once every three months to ensure the living arrangement is appropriate. The CPS will be required to work in the field at least per week between Monday and Saturday. The CPS will also be required to take on call as required, which would consist of answering an agency phone from Monday at 5pm to the following morning at 8:45am for 8 consecutive days. The individual is to be supervised by the Our Mission Is Yours Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL & CORE FUNCTIONS:

1. Acts as an integral member of the Our Mission Is Yours team.

2. Provides a role model for persons in recovery, other staff and family members; sharing of personal experience of recovery is essential to instill a sense of hope in the recovery process.

3. Assists in the development of a culture of recovery and peer support by engaging in and supporting peer relationships.

4. Assists with evaluating individual persons in recovery needs, interest and progress towards personal wellness. Connect recovering persons to WRAP groups to develop their own plans for advancing their recovery.

5. Engaging appropriately with persons in recovery and support them in identifying strengths, existing supports and community resources. Assertively support connections to community based, mutual self-help groups.

6. Supports persons in recovery in building and strengthening of linkages with community resources and family members.

7. Attends and completes all mandatory staff trainings.

8. Attends all scheduled supervision sessions with immediate supervisor or designee.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned. Work in partnership with program staff to ensure that ongoing community integration activities and outreach continues for all program graduates. Co-facilitate a community re-entry group for individuals who leave the program.

PREREQUISITES & QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION:

1. Peer Special Certification required.

2. A self identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who can relate to others who are now using those services.

3. High school diploma of GED.

4. Within the last three years has 12 months (not necessarily consecutive) full or part-time paid or volunteer experience in the co-occurring field.

5. Ability to establish trusting relationships with their peers.

6. Commitment to recovery, choice, empowerment and the ability of people with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders to find meaningful lives in the community.

1. Clear FBI clearance, criminal background check and child abuse/history clearance required.

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills.

2. Ability to work independently.

3. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

4. Knowledge and experience with co-occurring disorders.

5. Promotes self-determination and independence for consumer empowerment.

6. Promotes and builds positive self images in consumers.

7. Empowers people in recovery to create a sense of purpose in life and strong commitment.

8. Empowers people in recovery to develop their interpersonal assets and ultimately achieving positive outcomes including reaching their future career and educational goals.

WES Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE M/F/V/D