Certified Peer Specialist

SUMMARY:

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) provides support to patients and families who are receiving Mental Health (MH) or Substance Abuse (SUD) services. They use life experiences to help create environments that support recovery.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide outreach to increase awareness of MH and SUD challenges.

2. Recognize early signs of crisis and offer encouragement.

3. Educate community and patients on services available and how to access assessment and treatment within ARMS clinics.

4. Advise on community resources and to help build social support networks.

5. Assist with destigmatizing MH and SUD problems and treatment through providing education material to patients, families, and community partners.

6. Assist ARMS Providers with in-house, group sessions.

7. Model competency in recovery and wellness.

8. Assist with recovery by providing individualized guidance, coaching and support.

9. Develop service plans, including Individual Recovery/Resiliency Plans (IR/RP) and Wellness Recovery Actions Plans (WRAP).

10. Develop coping strategies and self-help skills

11. Maintain required documentation

12. Attend any scheduled one-on-one sessions with supervisors and all departmental meetings.

13. Obtain established standards of productivity.

14. Maintain professional decorum and observance of the ARMS Code of Conduct.

15. Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma or GED

1-2 years of experience working in a Social Services field.

Current Alabama certification as a Certified Peer Specialist.

Past or present consumer of MH or SUD services with a history of managing one’s own illness. Awareness of the importance of recovery in living with a mental illness or addition.

Availability to work weekends, holidays, and on-call for emergencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of mental health peer support services.

Knowledge of the recovery process and how it applies to individuals with serious mental illness/substance use disorders

Ability to follow written and oral instructions.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality relating to clinical information and treatment of patients.