Center for Progress and Excellence Inc.

Peer Support Specialist

Job Description

At The Center for Progress and Excellence, we offer targeted mental health and case management services to at-risk individuals. Through our integrated approach to crisis intervention and outpatient services, our trained staff and licensed counselors can develop effective service and treatment plans that are unique for each individual to help them overcome challenges they may face in their daily lives.

SUMMARY The peer support specialist will be a part of the multidisciplinary mobile crisis response team that includes a therapist and licensed clinicians. The peer support specialist will provide direct client-centered support to individuals and families referred to the Mobile Crisis Response Team in order to encourage the client’s involvement in after-care and provide a warm handoff to community services and agencies. The peer support specialist will provide triage, crisis intervention, and linkage on demand, in any setting in which a crisis is occurring including homes and school settings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT:

• Provides intervention services
• Engages individuals and families in the crisis and post-crisis planning process using evidence-based practices.
• Conduct intake assessments and bio-psycho-social assessments.
• Works with individuals, families, and groups to provide outreach, emotional support, service linkage, and referral
• Provides warm hand off to community resources, services, and supports
• Triages phone calls and provides community resource information as well as supportive informal counseling
• Facilitates stabilization and care coordination services post-acute intervention
• Coordinates with crisis counselors and team leaders so individuals receive mental health service appointments within 48 hours of intervention
• Provides after-hours crisis services on a rotation schedule
• Interacts with management to gather and provide information
• Conduct a minimum of one face-to-face contact with clients per week. Phone contact is acceptable when an in-person meeting is not feasible.
• On occasion, during specific shifts, it may be required that the Peer Specialist conduct a SAFE-T assessment.
• Other duties as necessary, when they do not conflict with client services.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. A peer specialist must have “lived” mental health experience. Peer specialist must also obtain certification by the Florida Board within 12 months of hire. Requires proven professionalism and the ability to deal effectively with clients, families, and a variety of internal and external resources.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• High School Diploma for peer specialist (as well as all requirements for state certification within 12 months of hire).
• Training and or Experience in Crisis Intervention Preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with individuals and families dealing with a mental health-related crisis.
• Understands, communicates (both verbally and in writing), and collaborates effectively and with precision, given the time constraints of each task.
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (required) and fluency in Spanish is preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS for Peer Specialist: Florida Certification Board for Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS-A) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) is preferred but not required given the ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.

BENEFITS

• Health insurance with plan options!
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer-matched savings
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Additional insurance coverage options
• Longevity pay
• Birthday off with pay (any day of birthday month)
• Referral to hire incentives
• PTO, Sick days, and 9 Paid Holidays
• Opportunity to make a positive impact on individuals & the community

Job Type: Full-time

Required education:

• High School Diploma
• Peer Certification (within 12 months of hire)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a reliable form of transportation?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person