Certified Peer Specialist

Part-time, 24 hrs/week

Schedule - Rotating

General Summary

Contributes in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness by sharing his/her personal/practical experience and first-hand knowledge to the team and clients. Provides expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients to have a satisfying life. Serves as a role model for recovery for both staff and peers and partners with peers in developing recovery tools and building support networks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Draws on common experiences as a peer to provide guidance and encouragement to patients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Assists designated peers with rehabilitation social support, advocacy, educational and vocational mentoring, and self-maintenance.
• Provides side-by-side support and coaching to help patients socialize, such as going with a patient to the grocery store, movies, library, etc. during program hours of operation which may require use of staff’s personal vehicle.
• Supports patient participation in community self-help groups.
• Coaches or teaches basic individual living skills, such as food preparation, meal planning, laundry, bill payment and personal hygiene.
• Provides education about symptoms of mental illness to assist patients in understanding their mental illness and identifying relapse symptoms.
• Works with patients in supporting their individual choice and preference regarding medications, under the direction of the physician and nursing staff.
• Promotes participation in Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and Psychiatric Advance Directives (PAD) planning among peers.
• Partners with peers to create, review and attain goals on the Individual Recovery Plan.
• Completes necessary documentation for each peer encounter (i.e. service activity, contact sheets, etc.) within 48 hours of encounter.
• Completes monthly log of services provided.
• Acquires knowledge or resources in assigned county/counites while maintaining an excellent working relationship with all providers.
• Acts as a liaison with other community agencies/groups, funding sources and businesses that relate to the services provided to peers.
• Participates in the on-call system according to WellSpan Philhaven ACT policy.

Common Expectations:

• Attends all meetings with supervisor, staff, and clients as well as trainings and in-services.
• Reinforces hope and the potential for recovery to peers and others.
• Encourages and provides support for peers to advocate for themselves.
• Models coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Completes yearly annual safety education modules in compliance with WellSpan Philhaven policy.
• Performs and participates in outcome measurement, performance improvement and customer satisfaction studies designed to measure and improve the quality of services delivered.
• Contributes to a safe work environment through knowledge and practice of safe behavioral management practices, fire safety, physical plant safety, safe emergency practices, and universal precautions for bodily fluids
• Provides after hours telephone support to enrolled peers as assigned (Pager rotated among staff on a monthly basis).
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required

Work Experience:

• Experience in navigating/personal knowledge and experience in the mental health system. Required
• 1 year General work/volunteer/credit hour experience. Preferred and
• Professional office work experience. Preferred

Licenses:

• Certified Peer Specialist Upon Hire Required

Driver's License Statement:

Must possess a valid driver's license in the current state of residence. Driving record must meet requirements established by WellSpan Risk Management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent human relations and oral/written communication skills.
• Knowledge of and ability in the care and support of individuals in a specific age group.

Benefits Offered:

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)