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Job Description:  

Certified Peer Specialists (CPS’s) work from the perspective of their lived experience to help build environments conducive to recovery. They promote hope, personal responsibility, empowerment, education, and self-determination in the communities where they serve.  CPS’s are trained to assist others in skill-building, problem-solving, setting up and maintaining self-help mutual support groups, and building self-directed recovery tools. A critical role of the CPS is supporting others in developing their recovery goals and specific steps to reach those goals. They discuss the importance of acknowledging the presence of a mental illness and the need to de-stigmatize misconceptions surrounding this illness. The Certified Peer Specialist provides a beneficial link between the Individual and their Treatment Team by encouraging compatible goals, objectives, and interventions.

 Peer Specialist Certification is required

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards:  

Under general supervision the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) provides peer support services; serves as a consumer advocate; provides consumer information and peer support for consumers in a variety of settings.

Certified Peer Specialists receive referrals from treatment teams identifying specific needs geared to the recovery of the Individual.  Requests made by an Individual to receive assistance from the Certified Peer Specialist must be approved by the Treatment Team.  All referrals will be reviewed by Rehabilitation Services Leadership and approved by the Program Director.

 

New Admissions/Treatment Team

  • Meet with new admissions and outline the Certified Peer Specialist role, review the Team Process, and Patient Handbook. (May accompany Individuals to their first Treatment Team Meeting.)
  • Conduct Functional Assessments for Team-Referred Individuals within the time frame set for completion which may include 1:1 Independent Living Skills education.
  • Document and review all interactions with assigned individuals and any significant interactions with non-assigned individuals. Provide supervisor(s) and treatment team notification of any significant interactions.
  • Attend Treatment Team on assigned Units as requested & provide Treatment Team with requests from Individuals to receive services from Certified Peer Specialist.

Community Meetings/Peer Council

  • Attend/observe Unit Community Meeting one time per month on assigned Units.
  • Assist the Team Identified Individual as they conduct Unit Awareness Meetings to prepare and participate in the monthly Peer Council Meetings and encourage new future participants.
  • Accompany team referred individuals to Peer Council Meetings.
  • Document participation in Peer Council

Benefits:

Vacation - 15 days each year up to 5 years of service; 18 days each year from 5-10 years of service; 21 days each year for 10 + years of service

Sick Leave – accrual at a rate of 10 hours per month (15 days each year)

Holidays – the state of Georgia recognizes 12 paid holidays

Retirement - 401(k) with a matching employer contribution and a Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Available Insurance – Health; Dental; Vision; Legal; Disability; Life & Dependent Life

Flexible Spending Accounts - Healthcare & Childcare

*Additional Information - Selected applicant must meet the following standards: 

1.     Must pass a pre-employment background check (which includes criminal records check, driver's history, and verification of work history) and a post-hire federal background investigation.

2.     Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test and will be placed in the pool for the State Random Drug Testing Program.

3.     Eligible to work in the U.S.

4.     Able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

 **High School and College Degrees Must Be From an Accredited Institution**

 

Must have a certification for Peer Specialist.

Preferred Qualifications:

Two years’ experience providing instruction, training, education, social skills, daily living skills, training in individual advocacy, or self-care instruction in an in-patient recovery-oriented setting. 

 

Qualifications 

Associate's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university OR One year of experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human services setting OR One year of experience at the lower-level Client Support Worker 1 (SSS010) or position equivalent. Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.