The Certified Peer Specialist is a fully integrated member of the multidisciplinary CSP Team who has been specially certified based on their psychiatric and life experiences. The Certified Peer Specialist provides consultation to the CSP team as well as highly individualized recovery services in the community while promoting consumer self-determination and decision making. The Certified Peer Specialist provides direct client services under the supervision of licensed behavioral health specialists.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as mentor to consumers to promote hope and empowerment.
• Supports consumers in accessing needed recovery resources (e.g. financial supports, doctor appointments, transportation, etc.).
• In collaboration with the consumer, coordinates care with stakeholders and providers.
• Works with the consumer to de-escalate crisis situations and develop safety plans.
• Provides one-to-one counseling to identify and support personal recovery goals while building on resiliency.
• Facilitates rehabilitation, psycho-educational, and recovery support groups by providing expertise and consultation from a consumer perspective.
• Encourages and supports consumers in building their community and social networks which may include social, recreational, spiritual, educational, or vocational linkages.
• Supports consumers in developing parenting, life, healthy living, and decision-making skills.
• Participates in training relevant to position and to the maintenance of certification.
• Completes all documentation (including individualized service plans, DLA-20, progress notes, etc.) necessary for good clinical care and accurate billing. One hundred percent compliance is expected.

In addition to role responsibilities, each staff member of Community Connections has the following responsibilities as a part of their employment:

• Models and reinforces Community Connections mission to provide behavioral health, residential services, and primary health care coordination for marginalized and disenfranchised women, men, youth, and children living in the District of Columbia, many of whom are coping with challenges including mental illness, addiction, and the aftermath of trauma and abuse.
• Models and reinforces Community Connections values of quality, innovation, respect, equity, and integrity daily.
• Reinforces Community Connection’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Protects the privacy of our consumer’s protected health information by maintaining compliance with HIPAA and other relevant CC related IT security regulations.
• Completes and stays current on role specific and organizational wide training.
• Performs other duties as assigned on an as-needed basis.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Certified Peer Specialist through the Department of Behavioral Health required. Must be able to provide documentation of current certification through the Department of Behavioral Health.
• High School Diploma/GED required
• Experience working with adults experiencing mental health, substance use, and or trauma
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively
• Effective interpersonal skills required, along with a high level of discretion and a manner of confidentiality
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Must think critically and ethically about service delivery
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by phone with client population, network members and collaborative service partners
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to handle a diversity of assignments and to work under pressure

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

☒This is an essential or critical position which will require reporting to a physical work location or making visits to consumers in the community as defined by the business needs of Community Connections, Inc