The Peer Support Specialist is a key associate at Hope Network whose primary responsibilities include: The Peer Support Specialist is an individual who possesses a unique perspective to treatment, due to his/her own experience with serious and persistent mental illness and/or substance use. The Peer Support Specialist draws from his/her personal growth experience to carry the message of hope and recovery to the people we serve in outpatient settings. Much of this support is offered in a coaching/mentoring manner, where the Peer Support Specialist cultivates and secures a connection with the person served, while teaching personal responsibility and serving as a mentor and role model on the recovery and wellness process. The Peer Support Specialist will interact, support and mentor guests who are working to regain control over their own lives and over their own recovery process and will be an essential member of multi-disciplinary treatment teams. The Peer Support Specialist will be involved in program development and training of direct support staff and other team members.
1) Regular and predictable attendance is an essential requirement of this position.
2) Support and promote a recovery focused environment. Use experiences with personal recovery to offer hope, encouragement and reassurance to the people served within the program.
3) Participate as assigned in clinical and staff meetings, and serve on other organizational committees as clinically appropriate.
4) Participate in the person centered planning process as requested by the people that we serve.
5) Work with program leadership to implement programmatic changes by utilizing evidence based practices (ex. Trauma Informed Care) to improve the quality of our services and outcomes.
6) Assist the people we serve to become active participants in their treatment and encourage self-advocacy while. Encourage those served to take personal responsibility for their own recovery and wellness. Document interactions in the electronic medical record and coordinate with other treatment team members as necessary.
7) In individual and group settings, provide services aimed at promoting independence, community inclusion and productivity. Services offered will include but are not limited to: Assistance in applying for benefits, assistance in finding and maintaining housing, budgeting skills, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, care coordination and medical advocacy and follow up after psychiatric hospitalizations.
8) Work as part of the interdisciplinary team to provide the best possible care and/or treatment to each guest.
9) Schedule and lead group programming. Complete the appropriate group paperwork required within the program.
10) Provide formal and impromptu training for direct support staff and other team members to assist the team in utilizing a recovery oriented approach.
Addendum:
The following functions / responsibilities have been added to the Peer Support Specialist Plus position:
1. Peer Support Specialist that is NOT working in a licensed setting DOES NOT require fingerprinting process or a clean criminal background.
2. Peer Support Specialist that IS working in a licensed setting DOES require fingerprinting process and a clean criminal background.
Educational / Talent Requirements:
1. Must possess, as a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED.
2. Life experience that allows individuals to identify self as peer.
3. Individual in a journey of recovery who has a serious mental illness who is now receiving or has received services from the public mental health system.
4. Demonstrate ability to effectively represent the department and Agency by articulating and actively supporting the mission of Hope Network to various audiences by conveying the most positive image possible.
5. Demonstrated ability to communicate in both written and verbal format to meet position responsibilities.
6. Ability to work autonomously and as a team.
7. Current certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist or ability to obtain Michigan Peer Support Specialist Certification once hired (MDCH specialized training and certification requirements).
8. Current driver’s license with acceptable driving record according to Hope Networks insurance carrier definitions.
Work Experience Requirements:
1. At least one year experience working in the field working with individuals requiring mental health and substance use treatment.