Certified Peer Specialist Associate I

Responsibilities

• Work one-on-one and in groups with peers who want assistance with meeting their recovery goals, including development of Wellness Recovery Action Plans or other recovery tools.
• Assist peers with locating and utilizing natural supports.
• Assist peers in navigating the physical/mental health systems; provide advocacy and referrals as needed with other services and supports including involvement in the community and the MHA Consumer Center.
• Assist peers in a hands-on way with life skills including but not limited to problem solving, budgeting, hygiene, housekeeping, relationship/social skills, employment skills, credit rebuilding, and communication skills.
• Work closely with the Blended Case Manager and other supports.
• Represent Team and MHA at forums/meetings related to mental health, as assigned.
• Maintain CPS certificate by earning and documenting the required mental health training credits per the PA Certification Board.
• Complete all necessary paperwork and reports together with assigned peers.
• Meet productivity requirements.
• Maintain standards of confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Certified Peer Specialists must meet the following (per OMHSAS-19-05 Peer Support Services, revised bulletin effective November 15, 2019):
  • Be self-identified individuals who have received or are receiving mental health services for a serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance.
  • Be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
  • Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
  • Within the last three (3) years, maintained at least 12 months of successful full or part-time paid or voluntary work experience or obtained at least 24 credit hours of post-secondary education; and have related, supervised work or volunteer experience, as approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB).
  • Have completed the PCB-approved CPS training.
  • Hold and maintain CPS certification through the PCB or attain certification through the PCB within six months of hire and maintain CPS certification.
• Act 33/34, Act 151, FBI Fingerprints.
• Negative pre-employment drug screening.
• Computer skills working with Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Record keeping skills, ability to write clearly and accurately.
• Document person centered strengths, needs, goals and progress collaboratively.
• Proven ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to manage own work schedule, set own appointments, and produce billable units.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Proven ability to advocate on behalf of self and others.
• Knowledge of recovery principles related to mental health.
• Knowledge of consumer rights as they impact mental health.
• Knowledge of publicly funded mental health and addiction disease services in Erie County.
• Knowledge of natural supports in the community.
• Knowledge of the Mission of Community Care Behavioral Health.
• Knowledge of the Mission, Vision and Values of the Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
• Must have valid PA Driver License and access to transportation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by staff to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the staff is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, and hear (hearing aid permitted). Specific vision abilities required by the job include peripheral and distance vision. The staff is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and use legs to lift up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the staff is occasionally exposed to outside weather. The noise level in the work place is usually moderate.

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