Peer Specialist - Certified

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is currently looking to bring on a Peer Specialist - Certified to our Friendships Unlimited team in Waukesha!

Friendships Unlimited is a daytime recovery center that utilizes peer support to empower individuals to take ownership of their recovery by promoting wellness and self-direction and fostering hope.

The Peer Specialist-Certified is a source for advocacy, referral, crisis intervention and problem solving for individuals with mental health concerns or addictions concerns.  Peer Specialists offer support to individuals through trauma informed services that understand the role violence plays or has played in the lives of the clients we serve. This approach provides a safe environment and trusting atmosphere that offers choices and collaborates with members to empower them to have input in the recovery process.

This position is part time at 15-20 hours per week. Flexible first shift schedule, but does require some hours on Sunday. Certification by the State of Wisconsin as a Peer Specialist is required.

Please Note: The Wisconsin Department of Human Services defines a Peer Specialist as "a person who has not only lived the experience of mental illness and/or substance use but also has had formal training in the Peer Specialist model of mental health supports. They use their unique set of recovery experiences in combination with solid skills training to support peers who have mental illness."

ADDITIONAL JOB TITLES THAT ARE USED IN THE FIELD (not all inclusive):

• Peer Support Worker
• Recovery Coach

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Develop and teach strategies to promote skills in coping with mental illness or substance use disorder, to promote recovery principles, and to promote wellness and independence.
• Observe and influence members’ behaviors by listening, communicating, and acting as a role model to help improve symptoms of mental health crisis. This may include offering hope through appropriately sharing personal recovery story.
• Mentoring and group facilitation on specific areas of mental health.
• Problem solving with people on issues of daily life.
• Provide support with maneuvering through the county and city systems in order for members to gain independence and become socially/financially responsible in their own treatment. Work in conjunction with other staff to provide basic case management duties to help members find housing and work opportunities.
• Support and mentor Peer Specialist’s in-training as applicable
• Perform role in a respectful manner toward internal and external stakeholders
• Expected to understand productivity expectations and meet those standards that have been established for the role and the program
• Performs other duties and special projects as required.

PERKS: 

• Mileage reimbursement
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• LSS makes annual raises a priority for employees
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

Examples of services Expected may include (These are examples, not all inclusive, and all services may not be provided by an individual employee.):

• Peer Support – Peer support services include a wide range of supports to assist the person and/or the person’s family with mental health and/or substance abuse issues in the recovery process. These services promote wellness, self-direction, and recovery by enhancing the skills and abilities of members to meet their chosen goals. The services also help people negotiate the mental health and/or substance abuse systems with dignity, and without trauma. Through a mutually empowering relationship, Certified Peer Specialists and the person/people served work as equals toward living in recovery.
• Individual Skill Development and Enhancement (e.g. daily living skills – cleaning, hygiene, mentoring of youth, teaching of parenting skills, community engagement) - Individual skill development and enhancement services include training in communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving, decision-making, self-regulation, conflict resolution, and other specific needs identified in the member’s service plan. Services also include training in daily living skills related to personal care, household tasks, financial management, transportation, shopping, parenting, accessing and connecting to community resources and services (including health care services), and other specific daily living needs identified in the member’s service plan.   
• Advocacy – Work with the individual to support and empower their engagement with their treatment and the system.
• Participation on recovery teams. (provide feedback around service delivery and progress)
• Crisis assessment and stabilization services - Skill development to reduce or eliminate an individual’s symptoms of mental illness so that the person does not need hospitalization. Assist in the transition to a less restrictive placement or living arrangement when the crisis has passed. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

• High School diploma or GED Equivalent.

• Working knowledge based on the area of service focus:
  • mental illness; and/or
  • substance use disorder; and/or
  • crisis intervention;
• Knowledge of independent living and recovery philosophy
• Knowledge of social services in the County and City where services are provided.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Wisconsin Certified as a Peer Specialist
• The incumbent of this position must have a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

• Ability to read, write, analyze and interpret to complete required documentation by established timeframes.
• Ability to document in a neat, legible, accurate, objective and consistent manner to reflect the services provided.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from all levels of LSS management and employees, as well as the individual, family, and circle of support.

COMPUTER SKILLS/TECHNOLOGY:

• Working knowledge of computers to allow employee to access computer systems and applications to complete timecards, read and respond to email, and complete required on-line training.
• Ability to utilize efficiently an electronic health record(s) for documentation of direct services.
• Must be able to work on computer and utilize computer applications and programs to effectively complete the job.
• Ability to work within a variety of ever-changing software packages and computer systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently bend/stoop, crouch, climb stairs and kneel. This position will require the ability to access a variety of locations in the community.  

The employee must react appropriately in times of crisis that may include verbal aggression.

The incumbent of this position works in a community environment (home, office, community, etc.).  The incumbent will also be exposed to outdoor conditions when traveling on company business.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

TRAVEL:  Daily travel may be required.  Some overnight travel may be required.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.