Certified Peer Specialist

Job Summary:

A Certified Peer Specialist is a person who has progressed in his or her own recovery and promotes self-determination & personal responsibility for recovery. The CPS promotes empowerment in self-directed recovery, and assists individuals with mental illness in the individual's recovery process. Under general supervision of STRIVE Clinical Team Manager, the CPS provides structured activities within a peer support model for those between the ages of 16-30, who are in their first episode of psychosis. In addition, the CPS will promote socialization, recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, and strengthen natural support systems. A peer specialist with Strive utilizes Psychosocial Rehabilitation techniques to assist clients to maintain community living skills, gain understanding of what creates recovery, and how to build environments supportive to recovery. STRIVE is a Specialty Coordinated Care interdisciplinary team, which includes, Counselors, Medical Staff, Case Management, and Supportive Employment/Education services.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Productivity

• Maximum client load 30 individuals to one Certified Peer Specialist
• Daily percent of a Peer’s scheduled time must be at least 65% spent on clinical duties.
• Maintain at least one Face to Face visits on a monthly basis for each client on CPS caseload. STRIVE is a coordinated specialty care team where clients are often in need of weekly contact.

Documentation and Compliance

• Services must accurately relate directly to the treatment provided.
• Documentation MUST be completed to agency standards.
• Ensure that all notes are in EMR (electronic Medical Records) within 24 hours of service delivery.
• Maintain all documentation in accordance with applicable policies, laws and instructions.
• Ensure that all services provided are within the guidelines and document care in compliance with agency requirements and standards.
• Maintain a minimum chart audit score of 70% or better for all consumers on caseload.
• Ensure completion of weekly & monthly reports within the specified timeframe.
• Failed Activities and Failed Claims must be resolved and cleared within approved timeframes.
• CPS Must comply with Human Resources requirements of all trainings (including Relias).

Community Outreach

• Collaborate with behavioral health providers and the community through regular meetings in order to engage and transition consumers throughout systems of inpatient and or community care.

Corporate Responsibilities

• Treat those we serve, co-workers and supervisors with respect.
• Provide high quality customer service focused on outcomes of improved health.
• Carry out job responsibilities in a competent and ethical manner.
• Utilize our resources effectively, efficiently, and without abuse.
• Contribute to an environment that encourages passion, creativity and team work.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Working knowledge of serious mental illness; self-help techniques, provides enhance consumers empowerment skills and successful community living, community resources and information on specific topics, as assigned.
• Knowledge of consumers’ rights; agency and federal policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of client record documentation requirements; and implementation of client services plan development.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention protocol.
• Knowledge of peer individual and group therapy techniques
• Observe, record and report on an individual’s functioning;
• Ability to read and understand assessments, evaluations, observation, and use in developing treatment plan.
• Ability to assist consumers cultivate their independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
• Ability to empower other individuals with disabilities to explore new options, resources, relationships, feelings, attitudes and rights.
• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with consumers and their families in diverse populations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to maintain confidentiality, and to work independently under general supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal and “Listening” skills.
• Ability to Establish and prioritize goals and objectives of assigned program.
• Ability to assist consumers with successfully acquiring all income, entitlement benefits and health insurance for which the individual is eligible.
• Ability to facilitate relationships between Gateway, consumer families/legal guardians and various social service community resources, such as housing assistance, healthcare, job training and placement and substance abuse support groups.
• Medium travel level is required as this role is partially community based. A current Georgia Driver’s License and clean driving history required.

Competencies:

Communication

Accountability/Responsibility

Cooperation/Teamwork

Creative Thinking

Customer Service

Dependability

Flexibility

Initiative

Analytical Thinking

Job Knowledge

Judgement

Professionalism

Quality/Quantity of Work

Goal Orientation

Stress Management

Planning/Organization

Required Education & Experience:

• High school diploma/equivalent; Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• Certification by Georgia Certified Peer Specialist Project
• Requires a minimum of 40 hours of CPS training
• Experience working with Youth and Adults with severe mental illness.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Work Environment:

This job operates in a variable business setting with trips into the community. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Medium travel level is required as this role is partially community based. A current Georgia Driver’s License and clean driving history required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stand or kneel and occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop. Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time at a computer. Employee frequently uses fine hand/eye coordination, hearing and visual acuity. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are not hazardous or unpleasant condition caused by noise, dust, etc. Employee must be able to travel between Gateway sites and into the community. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Gateway CSB promotes a drug/alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing.