Peer Support Specialist

What we are looking for:

As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, CNS Healthcare's mission is to serve the people of our communities. We are seeking candidates that have a passion for mentoring to help people achieve community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, and productivity. Our ideal candidate has a special ability to gain the trust and respect of the individuals we serve based on shared experiences.

The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the interdisciplinary case management team by providing services for individuals experiencing serious mental illness. The Peer Support Specialist works closely with individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, acting as a mentor while providing support and assistance to individuals in the following areas: sharing lived experience, achieving community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, resiliency, and/or productivity. 

Compensation Range: 

The starting pay for this position is $13.60 - $16.00 hourly rate for uncertified candidates, and $14.88 - 17.50 hourly rate for certified candidates, and is based on non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience. 

What’s in it for you:

As a member of our team, you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our community and the lives of the individuals that we serve. CNS Healthcare provides a robust total rewards program to support our team members and their loved ones. We’ve shared some highlights below, but you can visit the benefits guide posted on our careers page to learn more!

• Comprehensive medical insurance options
• Employer-paid benefits including dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance
• Retirement program with generous company default contribution and match
• Generous PTO program starting at 18 days annually
• 16 paid holidays, including 3 floating holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), HRSA, and more

Interested in learning more about this role?

Please see below for a summary of job responsibilities and qualifications!

• Supports individuals in acquiring and practicing all activities of daily life.
• Connects individuals to medically necessary and clinically indicated services including, and not limited to; DHS, Social Security, food and clothing banks, and other community resources using agency or personally owned vehicle, as assigned.
• Facilitates wellness groups including Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Smoking Cessation, among others, and support individuals in those groups in gaining access to community programs and services as they are indicated, especially physical health care and dental services.
• Attend team meetings and receive assignments from supervisor.
• Aid and provide partnership in: developing the advance directive; learning about and pursuing alternatives to guardianship; and developing, implementing, and providing ongoing guidance for advocacy and support groups.
• Promote client decision-making that supports self-determination and participate in the person-entered-planning (PCP) process.
• Assist individuals with the implementation of their goals and objectives identified in the PCP.
• Attend outings intended to enhance socialization and provide instruction-based assistance including teaching, prompting, modeling, monitoring encouragement, and general support to persons served.
• Utilize a Trauma-Informed approach to deliver services.
• Completes all required documentation, including progress notes, contact notes, and National Outcome Measures (NOMs), completely, accurately, and in accordance with CNS policy.
• Fulfills mandatory education requirements of CNS including evidence-based programs, internal training, and community education.
• Accounts for scheduled work hours through billing, productivity, or other approved methods of documentation.
• Meet direct service productivity and documentation standards per agency and program expectations.
• Provide transportation assistance to individuals served as needed.
• Maintain compliance with quality care initiatives including Meaningful Use (MU), Medicare Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) requirements.
• Ensure that the CNS Healthcare standards of service are applied to interactions with individuals served, guests, and staff.
• Assume responsibility for professional growth by current reading and attendance at educational programs and conferences.
• Maintain knowledge and compliance with established policies and procedures, corporate compliance program, code of ethics, applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, HIPAA standards, and other regulatory programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

 Qualifications:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid and unrestricted Driver’s License
• Transportation or Automobile accessibility with current automobile/vehicle insurance meeting agency policy requirements
• Meet eligibility requirements for State of Michigan Peer Support Specialist Certification
  1. Primary diagnosis of a mental health condition.
  2. Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption.
  3. Has been a recipient of mental health treatment and/or services for at least one year, with a substantial life disruption due to their mental health condition.
  4. Have personal experience navigating complex mental health treatment services.
  5. Self-identifies as having a mental health condition with a substantial life disruption and share their recovery story in supporting others.
• Obtain and maintain State of Michigan certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) within one year of employment.
• Proficient with computers and working knowledge of Microsoft office products.
• Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and community effectively, professionally, and courteously.
• Ability to work closely with persons with mental or physical limitations.
• Ability to contribute to an inclusive environment that recognizes the value and contributions of all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
• Ability to report and record information regarding individual dreams and desires verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use discretion and judgment when handling matters of a sensitive or confidential nature.
• Intermediate time management, problem-solving, customer service, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Preferred

• Prior paid or volunteer experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Prior experience as a peer support specialist.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.

About CNS Healthcare:

CNS Healthcare (CNS) is a non-profit, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) with seven clinics and two clubhouses in Southeastern Michigan. CNS employs approximately 400 employees, paraprofessionals, and support staff, delivering services to more than 7,000 people annually. 

• CNS provides comprehensive integrated health services in partnership with several community organizations, and uses a patient-centered approach to identify, support, and promote the overall health of children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
• Visit our website to learn more about our mission, vision, and values!

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: CNS Healthcare complies with federal, state, and local laws in regard to COVID-19 vaccination. Candidates will be required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for medical or religious exemptions to these requirements in accordance with applicable law. 

Salary : $14 - $16