A certified peer specialist for the IPS program utilizes their lived experience with Serious Mental Illness by sharing their recovery journey in order to serve as a support agent for individuals in the program. Employees in this position are responsible for supporting consumers in their goals of obtaining employment by attending meetings with consumers, promoting self-determination and recovery, and modeling self-advocacy skills.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Share your personal story to model how to choose, obtain, and keep employment.
Promote self-determination, recover, self-advocacy, and self-direction; assist individuals in identifying strengths, wellness goals, setting objectives, and identifying barriers.
Attend treatment team meetings with the individual to promote the individual's use of self-directed advocacy tools.
Assist the individual in goal planning and participate with the individual in the development of Career Profiles
Assist the individual in learning how to ask for appropriate services in the community.
Engage individuals in other programs and services to encourage employment.
Model self-advocacy skills for addressing disclosure issues or requesting job accommodations.
Teach wellness management strategies and help individuals develop their own self-management plans/tools to use in the workplace and in their personal lives; use manualized strategies such as (IMR/ Illness Management and Recovery, WMR/Wellness Management and Recovery, WRAP/Well Recovery Action Planning), and others.
Connect to support groups in the community to learn from other peers, to promote hope, to problem-solve through work situations, and to decrease social isolations.
Provide education to other team providers to increase their understanding of self-advocacy and peer support roles, and to promote a culture in which an individuals' points of view and preferences are recognized, understood, and integrated into service delivery.
Provide resources and teach transportation skills (teaching bus routes, etc.) for work.
Support individuals in making informed decisions about supported employment and building community concerns.
Build social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
Assist in overcoming barriers to employment and addressing workplace challenges.
Assist in obtaining the proper documentation necessary to obtain employment.
Research with the individual businesses and/or industries in which the person is interested.
Assist the individual in completing applications, resumes, cover letters, etc.
Explore career and educational aspirations with the individual.
Assist in teaching skills related to job-seeking, such as using the computer.
Attend recovery support groups and (NA/Narcotic Anonymous and AA/Alcoholic Anonymous) meetings with the job seeker if appropriate.
Assist with financial wellness using tools for money management and asset development.
Provide outreach services as necessary to individuals when they appear to disengage from the IPS Supported Employment Program.
Spend 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community meeting with individuals seeking employment, mental health treatment teams, (VRS/Vocational Rehabilitation Services), etc.
Seek supervision and consultation as needed.
Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
Follow Carastar Health's policies and procedures.
Attend required meetings, in-service trainings, and other workshops.
Accept and employ suggestions for improvement.
Maintain confidential files containing required information for each supported employment consumer.
Maintain documentation for individuals receiving services.
Provide timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, and others.
Treat consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.
Demonstrate sensitivity to the consumer's needs, expectations, and individual differences.
Remain gentle and calm with consumers and families.
Actively participate in Performance Improvement activities.
Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
Actively participate in Carastar Health committees as required.
Follow Carastar Health policies and procedures.
Attend required in-service training and other workshops.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
REQUIREMENTS:
Reliable transportation and willingness to transport clients.
Demonstrate sensitivity to the clients' needs, expectations, and differences.
Remain gentle and calm all need to be under requirements.
Certification through Department of Mental Health as a Certified Peer Specialist.
Must have lived experience with Serious Mental Illness and be willing to share your recovery story with consumers.
Must complete and pass Certified Peer Specialist training that is sponsored and approved by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, within 90 days of hire.
Must hold a valid driver's license and maintain a driving record that is acceptable to Carastar's insurance carrier.
Must maintain at least liability coverage on personal vehicles.
Must hold a current CPI, Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certificate (provided through agency training).