Peer Support Specialist, First Shift - Acute Care Services

Fulfill your purpose at CLM: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8bCS3JufXrPyr7SgiLrusQ

Center for Life Management’s Acute Care Services (ACS) Department provides telephone crisis assessment, family consultation, emergency assessment, regional rapid response, crisis stabilization, and hospital coordination for admittance and discharge, as medically necessary, to youth, adults and elders. Our practice serves Southern New Hampshire as the regions designated mental health center. The ACS Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) specifically offers community-based supports to individuals in need wherever they are albeit at home, work, or anywhere else in the community where the person is experiencing a mental health crisis. A new branch of services is our Crisis Center (CC) which supports people throughout the day up to 23 hours to prevent hospitalization and mitigate their crisis. Our services are specifically aimed at diverting individuals from emergency room care, unnecessary hospitalizations, and incarceration by collaborating with first responders, health care providers and community-based agencies to stabilize a psychiatric crisis and initiate immediate treatment.

The Peer Support Specialist on this multi-disciplinary team will transform our mental health system and build strong connections with our clients through skillful use of lived experience. This is a full-time, approximately 30 - 32 hours per week position, with a 4 day on and 4 days off schedule from 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM (8 hours shifts) during weeks with four days and from 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (10 hours shifts) during weeks with three days. Compensation initially will be $24.36 and once certified, $24.89. 

During the initial onboarding and training period, the schedule will differ from the standard rotation. New hires will follow a Tuesday through Friday schedule while completing required training and orientation. The training period is expected to last approximately two months, though it may be extended based on individual progress and program needs. Upon successful completion of training, staff will transition into the regular 4 days on / 4 days off rotation outlined above. 

Major Functional Areas and Description of Duties

• Provide perspective and understanding of client’s experiences including symptoms of mental illness, effects and side-effects of medications, responses to and opinions of treatment, self and culture-wide stigma and discrimination, and experiences of recovery.
• Provide peer counseling to promote hope, responsibility, effective decision making, active participation in treatment and recovery processes, and participation in consumer self-help programs/consumer advocacy organizations.
• Utilize a framework of Trauma-Informed Care and actively seek to determine whether the client has experienced trauma so that effective implementation of support can be applied.
• Be a role model and inspire recovery by instilling hope, building trust, demonstrating empathy, being present, and listening to client’s needs to set client-centered goals, collaborate on care, answer questions about and foster engagement in treatment.
• Link client and/or natural supports with appropriate community mental health resources that best fit the presenting problems as well as level of motivation and stage of change.
• Maintain contact with clients for a set period of time after a crisis to ensure connection has been made with agreed upon referral sources and additional education/supports are provided beyond the immediate amelioration of the crisis.
• Provide set hours of billable service each week to meet 35% of client care needs.
• Follow all SAMHSA Core Competencies of Peer Support.
• Work collaboratively with other treatment team members, natural supports, and external providers to ensure a wrap-around care is provided to the client.
• Serve on appropriate committees, both internal and external, as determined by supervisor.
• Function professionally and in a manner that protects the integrity, confidentiality and rights of all patients.
• Execute all required services and timely documentation in accordance with agency policies and federal/state standards.
• Maintain professional memberships, licenses, accreditation, certifications, etc.
• Represent CLM in a professional and appropriate manner in all settings.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Work takes place in the community, within the client’s home, and at the office. Manual dexterity is needed to use computers and standard office equipment. The ability to sit for extended periods of time is required. The ability to sit for extended periods of time is required. Reliable transportation, a clean driving record, and proof of auto insurance coverage is required.

Benefits

At Center for Life Management we offer a robust benefits package because caring for our staff is just as important as caring for our clients. Benefits for benefits eligible employees include:

• Paid earned time (3 weeks in year one, caps at 6 weeks)
• Paid holidays (8) with bonus birthday holiday in your birth month
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with 3% company contribution upon 1 year of employment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), accessible to staff and their natural supports
• Company issued cell phone and laptop as needed for role
• Scholarship for professional advancement
• Mileage reimbursement for applicable positions
• On the job training and continuing education opportunities
• Rewarding and supportive work environment with excellent opportunities for career growth
• Meaningful relationships with your co-workers and the individuals we serve
• Flexible work schedule
• Teamwork, teamwork and more teamwork!

#CLMLP1

#centerforlifemanagement #rewardingcareers #mentalhealth #communitymentalhealth #mentalhealthcare #professionaldevelopment #mastersdegree

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in a human services or related field preferred or a high school diploma or equivalent, with at least two years of paid or volunteer experience with adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Have knowledge to manage one’s own mental illness and be well along in their recovery (at least one year or greater in recovery, absent of any psychiatric crisis or hospitalization).
• Must be certified as a Peer Specialist or Recovery Coach, and eligible for Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) and Intentional Peer Support certificates.
• Strong commitment to the right and the ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in normal community residences, work in market jobs, and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment in routine, urgent, and emergent clinical situations.
• Proficient computer skills, specifically with all Microsoft office applications.
• Ability to document effectively and efficiently in course of work.
• Ability to navigate an electronic health record.
• Ability and desire to work as part of a clinical team while also able to be self-directed and motivated with minimal supervision.
• Ability to acquire and effectively practice new clinical skills as needed according to evolving agency needs/services.
• Effective communication skills, organizational skills, and ability to multi-task.