Certified Peer Specialist

Certified Peer/Recovery Specialist I, II, III

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)/ Recovery Specialist (CRS) supports individuals within the program by partnering around challenges that can come with symptoms of mental health and/or substance use diagnosis. Through utilization of the WRAP plan and a person-centered approach, the CPS/CRS will help empower the member to identify and work towards their blue-sky goals. By providing unconditional and nonjudgmental listening while also supporting the utilization of skills needed for the member to begin creating a higher quality of life, the CPS/CRS serves as a peer mentor to those they serve.

The CPS/CRS provides opportunities for individuals to direct their own recovery plan and support, build self-worth, wellness, empowerment, and self-advocacy. The CPS/CRS will promote and contribute to the development of a healing culture of recovery and hope within the program and agency.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with members and appropriately engage them to identify interests, strengths, goals, dreams, and aspirations while offering encouragement and empowerment through shared experience.
• To enhance strengths and capabilities for members.
• Meet with members, in collaboration with the treatment team, to develop individualized treatment plan goals.
• Meet with members to collaborate on the development and utilization of their wellness recovery action plan (WRAP plan).
• Provide support and follow up on treatment interventions per treatment team.
• Facilitate groups based on specific skills, passions, and member needs.
• Co-facilitate skills groups and other groups as requested by program leadership.
• Attend and participate in treatment team meetings, provide feedback regarding members and offer unique perspectives.
• Support members in planning for and attending 12 step meetings, finding a sponsor, doing step work when appropriate.
• Support member use of DBT skills as taught by team (training will be provided).
• Serve as an advocate for members while continually supporting, teaching, and encouraging self-advocacy skills.
• Support with welcoming newly admitted members to the project transition/PCS mental health community. Assist in orientation to the program by sharing information on program structure and opportunities, tour and introductions to community and staff.
• Promoting community integration through the connection of resources by linking support, mutual-help groups, social clubs, volunteer and paid job opportunities.
• Serve as a role model with a willingness to appropriately share personal experience with members, families, and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
• Support members in the development and implementation of their transition goals and plans.
• Provide timely documentation in electronic health record (EHR) regarding member progress, goals, struggles and utilization of member strengths, skills and support.
• Timely documentation of any/all meaningful activities with members, including groups, outside meetings, community outings, etc.
• Participation in agency internal work groups, trainings, and meetings.
• Attend continuing education requirements as required.
• Maintain CPS/CRS certification.
• Provide group vocational education for all program members.
• Provide individual vocational training/coaching for individual members.
• Support members with job readiness through resume development, mock interviews and skill building.
• Provide vocational and educational resources to members.
• Support members in learning how to make good healthy choices in terms of health and wellness.
• Facilitate groups to improve wellness outcomes.
• Support with PCP and other wellness appointments in the community.

Additional performance expectations include:

• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team and will support and implement interventions and directives as directed by the team.
• Always demonstrate compassion and concern when supporting a member through embracing project transition/PCS mental health's mission and core values.
• Approach member engagement from a non-judgmental stance understanding that a member's behavior is driven by experience, which may include…