Peer Support Specialist
Is your passion to make a real difference? If so, please consider joining our team! With over 16 programs located across Western Wayne County's communities, Hegira Programs, Inc. (HPI), a private non-profit corporation, is one of the largest freestanding behavioral healthcare agencies in the area. HPI, accredited by the Joint Commission and licensed by the State of Michigan, provides a broad array of mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention services to individuals of all ages.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The Peer Support Specialist shall have, at minimum, a high school diploma or GED. He/she shall obtain, within the first six months of employment, and/or maintain a Peer Support Specialist Certification issued by the State of Michigan. The Peer Support Specialist shall have a history of treatment for serious mental illness of at least one year. Must have navigated recovery in the Community Mental Health System. He/she shall demonstrate (1) commitment to the Recovery Model; (2) strong verbal communication skills; (3) knowledge of community resources; (4) ability to maintain appropriate boundaries in his/her role of service provider.
LOCATION: Varies Locations
SHIFT: Full-time and Part-time
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical:
Facilitation of Recovery-based Interventions
Provide vocational assistance and/or support for consumers seeking educational and/or training opportunities related to finding a job. Vocational assistance activities include:
- Developing a plan for employment.
- Ensuring consumers receive assistance achieving employment goals.
- Providing follow-along supports necessary for maintaining meaningful employment.
- Other employment-related activities as assigned by Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator.
Provide housing assistance and/or support for consumers seeking to achieve independence by acquiring alternative housing. Housing assistance activities include:
- Identification of housing options.
- Finding and choosing a roommate.
- Utilizing available financial assistance programs in order to transition from restrictive settings to independent integrated living arrangements.
- Ensuring consumers have an individualized plan for moving.
- Providing support to consumers with general independent living functions, including but not limited to food shopping and preparation, financial management and housekeeping.
- Providing individualized education and training related to supportive housing based on the needs and preferences of the consumer.
- Other housing-related activities as assigned by Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator.
Provide supportive clinical treatment services and utilization assistance. Supportive clinical services include:
- Facilitating weekly wellness-recovery support groups that promote community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, resiliency and/or productivity.
- Sharing stories of recovery and/or mental health advocacy.
- Assisting consumers in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
- Assisting consumers in person-centered goal planning.
- Assisting consumers with benefit/entitlement applications.
- Providing supportive services during crisis.
- Assisting consumers with Wellness/Recovery and/or Relapse Prevention planning.
- Other supportive clinical services as assigned by Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator.
Facilitation of Treatment Engagement
- Assist consumers in obtaining services that suit individual recovery needs.
- Contribute to Treatment Plan and Treatment Plan Review(s).
- Initiate contact, by phone or in writing, to consumers within 24-hours of missed appointments.
- Report medication issues (e.g., non-compliance, adverse side effects) to primary therapist and/or Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator immediately.
- Provide outreach services as needed to program participants when they appear to disengage from mental health services.
- Initiate Adequate Action Notices, as necessary.
Community Involvement
- Maintain a working knowledge of community resources.
- Routinely inform consumers on caseload about community and natural supports and how to utilize these supports in the recovery process.
- Participate in community meetings as assigned by Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator and/or HPI Administration.
- Participate as a member of HPI’s Consumer Advisory Panel, attending monthly meetings
- Type external documentation on HPI-issued letterhead or clinical document.
- Adhere to all policies and procedures as outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual of Hegira Programs, Inc.
- Participate in the integration of peer support services with other clinic services.
- Follow HPI-approved curriculum for all support group sessions.
- Document services per HPI policy and procedure, writing legibly, using only abbreviations per HPI approved listings, and error correction processes per policy.
Interpersonal:
- Work effectively as a team member of Hegira Programs, Inc.
- Attend clinic treatment plan meetings to contribute status and related coordination of service needs.
- Maintain collegial, cooperative relationships with peers, supervisors, and other staff of HPI.
- Maintain professional conduct in community while representing HPI.
- Report all Recipient Rights complaints and knowledge of potential complaints to HPI Recipient Rights Officer and Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/ Coordinator within 24 hours of said knowledge.
- Follow all directives provided by Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator.
- Respond to written requests from HPI Administration within indicated time frames.
Critical Thinking:
- Inform Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator of potential at-risk situations promptly.
- Maintain flexibility in work schedule to ensure program staff coverage to meet consumer needs.
- Ensure clinic staff and/or psychiatrist are informed, with timely, pertinent information regarding changes in consumer condition(s).
- Maintain confidentiality per federal guidelines and the policy and procedures of Hegira Programs, Inc.
- Advise Program Manager/Clinical Services Supervisor/Coordinator of caseload difficulties as they occur.
Productivity:
- Must meet established productivity standards as published.
Physical Requirements:
- Must have adequate visual acuity to interact with the Electronic Health Record System and accurately input data.
- Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality is required.