Job Summary:

The Certified Peer Specialist is responsible to the Certified Peer Specialist Program Director and Supervisor. A Certified Peer Specialist is a dedicated and enthusiastic individual who is a self-identified consumer of mental health services. CPS provide 1 on 1 person-centered, recovery-oriented services for adults 18 and over and/or youth and young adults 14-27 years old with serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances to help them achieve recovery and community integration. Services are provided in the consumers' homes and communities in conjunction with existing resources. Services can include: advocacy, education, development of natural supports, support of work or other meaningful activity of the person's choosing, crisis support, wellness activities, effective utilization of the service delivery system, and service coordination and linkage to other service providers. The ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships is essential to effective CPS performance.

Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Participate as a member of a recovery-treatment team.
• Provide recovery education to consumers, family members, and professional staff.
• Act as a community liaison to develop relationships with service agencies and other organizations.
• Provide outreach and engagement between consumers and support organizations.
• Assist consumers in recovery based goal development and planning
• Facilitate community integration & consistent use of natural resources
• Facilitate skill building activities
• Promote self-advocacy skills and opportunities
• Facilitate linkage to treatment services
• Provide long-term engagement, support, and encouragement to consumers, family, and staff perform other job duties as required.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• A personal belief in recovery
• A genuine hope and optimism that their peers will succeed
• A sincere interest in the welfare of their peers, including the ability to see each person as a unique individual
• A willingness to share their own recovery experience
• An ability to flexibly engage people based on their level of receptivity and individual needs, acknowledging that even the same person may need different types of peer-based services at different points in their recovery process.
• Possess effective written/ verbal communication, boundary setting, & computer skills.

Required Licenses and Clearances:

• Act 33/34 and FBI clearances.
• ACT 31 certificate
• Possess a valid Pennsylvania driver's license with a good driving record & own reliable transportation for travel to consumer's homes/ communities
• Be willing to complete and pass the mandatory 75-hour peer specialist certification training program, which includes oral and written examinations
• Be willing to complete 18 hours of approved continuing education training per year (w/ 12 hours specifically focused on peer support and/or recovery practices

Physical Requirement:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Some travel required