Peer Support Specialist; Center for Schizophrenia

Job Summary

The Peer Specialist will be a current or former recipient of mental health services and/or substance use disorder services, should have self-knowledge and self-awareness of their mental health diagnosis/illness and/or substance use disorder, and willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients. Provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team members; act as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance abuse services, education, support and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of the Program Manager.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide coaching and consultation to clients to promote recovery and self-direction (e.g., preparation for a role in treatment planning meetings).
• Facilitate wellness management and recovery strategies (e.g., Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Illness Management and Recovery, or other deliberate wellness management and recovery strategies).
• Participate in all team activities (e.g., treatment planning, chart notes).
• Modeling skills for and providing consultation to fellow staff members.
• Providing cross-training to other staff members in recovery principles and strategies.
• Must have the interpersonal skills and abilities to effectively work with individuals with mental health illness and their families, agency referrals, and other service providers in the community.
• Serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment.
• Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to staff concerning clients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side effects of medications, clients’ responses to and opinion of treatment, and clients’ experiences of recovery.
• Help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and substance use, develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
• Increase awareness of and support client participation in client self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
• Help other staff members identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within the organization.
• Must have the ability to find community resources and assist clients in accessing and utilizing community resources.
• Must be able to provide services to clients in multiple settings including jail, shelters, streets, hospitals, and homes.
• Must be able to assist clients in identifying and coping with mental illness and/or substance use by encouraging clinical engagement practices and techniques in addition to community activities.
• Encourage and support the client through the development of mental capacity for independence and healthy independent decision making related to but not limited to the living situation, hygiene, personal care, household skills, medication administration, social skills, coping techniques, etc.
• Observe and report behavior, attitude, mood swings, mental health, substance use, and/or healthcare needs.
• Must have excellent communication skills, and must be able to write and document clearly and succinctly.
• Ensure compliance with legal issues including but not limited to client confidentiality and risk management; ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Other Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned

Core Competencies

• Values Diversity and Inclusion: Self-aware, attentive listener, people-oriented, cognizant of bias, cultural intelligence; demonstrating respect for divergent viewpoints; an awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural diversity of the population served, thereby contributing to an environment that is equitable, inclusive, and cooperative.
• Makes a good first impression and sustains this impression with clients and co-workers; shows respect for other people; provides knowledgeable answers based on their own experience and expertise; builds a professional relationship with clients and colleagues by showing a genuine interest in other people
• adheres to standards and rules of conduct such as privacy, confidentiality and dual relations; guards sensitive information; adheres to commitments; takes responsibility for their actions; is transparent in their actions

Job Qualifications 

• The Peers Specialist must meetlocalstandardsforcertificationasapeerspecialistORifpeercertificationisunavailable locally, minimum  qualifications include the following:(1)self-identifiedasanindividualwithaseriousmentalillnesswhoiscurrentlyor formerly a recipient of mental health services;(2)Is in the process of his/her recovery; and (3) has completed training in wellness management and recovery interventions.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license with less than six points and proof of automobile insurance in accordance with The Centers requirements.
• CPR Certification, first aid and non-violent crisis intervention training (with-in 60 days of hire).

Physical Demands/Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms. It requires the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Travel within the Cleveland area as needed for training and technical assistance. In addition, community travel to satisfy peer support needs for clients. Employee may need to employ non-violent crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate a client. This position may require on call hours.

About The Centers  

The Centers fights for equity by healing, teaching, and inspiring individuals and families to reach their full potential. We provide health, family, and workforce services at 11 locations throughout Greater Cleveland, creating life-changing solutions for people to lead healthier and more successful lives. We provide high-quality healthcare to everyone who comes through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Our health care services include mental and physical health care, primary care, dental, behavioral health urgent care, pharmacy services, addiction and substance use treatment, HIV/AIDS prevention and support services, along with trauma recovery service. 

We strive to be an equitable, anti-racist, and service-oriented workplace that pioneers and co-creates solutions while fostering an inclusive community where our team members thrive. 
 
Wellbeing and Benefits  

Providing quality benefits to our staff is important to us. Just as important is our staff’s well-being. That’s why we offer a number of choices to meet the different needs of our staff.  

• Choice of medical and dental plans
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care
• Vision
• Support for Continuing education and credential renewal
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings (401K) with a company contribution
• 457 (b) Savings
• Mental Health Support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Calm Subscription
• Short and Longterm Disability